(Im-)material flow analysis for system innovation

Résumé En

System innovation for sustainability requires system and multidisciplinary approach. Current assessment tools are mainly disciplinary and support the assessment of material flows in terms of environmental impacts or economical flows for example. These tools provide helpful quantitative information for system (re)-design but do not explicitly question the value creation factors whereas models derived from financial analysis do so (both quantitative and qualitative assessment). A material and immaterial resource flows model coupled with extended scorecar d to support both the analysis and structuration of territorial projects will be useful to better understand, qualify and quantify the different kinds of resources revealed, mobilized or denied during a project. The aim of this communication is to present the conceptual background for the model development and then to present its partial applications in i n-dustrial cases. Benefits, limits and further development will be also discussed. This model is built on the five dimensions sustainable transition method ology (5D-STM) and the multidisciplinary method for sustainability assessment. It enables both the representation of the tangibles and intangible assets mobilized during the emergence and structuration of territorial projects (e.g. business model transitio n to functional economy) and sustainability assessment of existing projects (e.g. industrial and territorial ecology projects). This model is still under development but appears to strengthen strategic analysis and potentially support the integration of sustainability within territorial projects but is not sufficient by itself. It can be used as a tool to support decision-making if integrated within a larger transition-oriented methodology.