Transdisciplinary Analysis

Abstract

Sustainability concepts and differing views discussed here form an important basis for transdisciplinary analysis. To effectively focus on sustainability, industrial practices need to implement technologies with due consideration to three major areas: dematerialization, rematerialization, and pollution prevention. These concepts are described and discussed in this chapter. With surprising consistency, issues of ineffective technological implementation can be traced to problems related to one of three areas: physical infrastructure, knowledge transfer, and financial resources. These issues are discussed and suggestions for addressing them are presented. Metrics for sustainability specific indicators and a framework for preference index are presented. Also discussed are elements related to technology transfer and implementation, including: characteristics of innovation and diffusion, implementation benefits, impediments, and ways to overcome impediments. In a broader sense, this chapter tries to integrate and discuss various issues related to effective use of local material, labor, and resources—focusing on economic development with due consideration to social progress, human health, and environmental protection.