This thesis aims to expand scientific knowledge about Waste Management (WM) and its future possibilities with the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. It reports on the results of a Design Science Research (DSR) study that develops a Smart Waste Management (SWM) Ecosystem. It presents implications of the application of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies on Waste Management (WM) as well as the entire smart city.
Therefore, appropriate IoT technologies are evaluated and integrated into the WM value chain which coincide with the requirements and challenges for the WM sector. It is shown that the transformation into a Smart Waste Management (SWM) value chain enables improved and more efficient operations that can handle increasing amounts of waste in the future. In addition, the final revised SWM Ecosystem artifact depicts the necessity for a holistic view to transformations in the smart city environment, as synergy effects contribute to additional value, sustainability, and increased knowledge.
The thesis shows that interdependencies between social and technical system in WM impede on its transformation, and technological possibilities alone are not sufficient enough to drive the change. Thus, the thesis suggests that a common vision towards sustainability is needed among all components in the socio-technical system, that must be initiated and governed from a higher (political) instance.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Motivation and Relevance
1.2 Research Gap and Research Question
1.3 Structure
2 Theoretical Background
2.1 Socio-Technical Systems
2.2 Waste Management Practices
2.2.1 Waste and Waste Management
2.2.2 Developments and Concepts in Waste Management
2.2.3 Waste Management Value Chain
2.2.4 The Waste Management Ecosystem
2.3 The Internet of Things and its Application Areas
2.3.1 Definition of IoT
2.3.2 Classification of Internet of Things Technologies
2.3.3 Internet of Things Applications in the Concept of Smart Cities
3 Methodology
3.1 Design Science
3.2 Framework Construction
4 The Smart Waste Management Ecosystem
4.1 Possibilities for the Value Chain in Waste Management with new Technologies
4.1.1 Challenges and Requirements for current Waste Management Operations
4.1.2 Evaluation of Internet of Things Technologies
4.2 The Smart Waste Management Value Chain
4.3 The Smart Waste Management Ecosystem
5 Discussion
6 Conclusion
Objectives & Research Topics
The primary objective of this thesis is to develop a conceptual Smart Waste Management (SWM) Ecosystem that utilizes IoT capabilities to transform and enhance the traditional waste management value chain. It investigates how these technological advancements can address the operational inefficiencies and challenges in current waste management systems while fostering sustainability within the broader context of smart cities.
- Integration of IoT technologies into the waste management value chain.
- Analysis of requirements and operational challenges in current waste management systems.
- Exploration of synergy effects between waste management and other smart city domains.
- Evaluation of socio-technical factors influencing the adoption of smart technologies.
- Development of a holistic SWM Ecosystem framework.
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2.1 Socio-Technical Systems
The STS provides a normative framework to identify the influence of technological developments on entire organizations, also presenting their interdependencies in the context of work systems (Trist, 1981). Thereby, the theory about the STS approach (Bostrom & Heinen, 1977a) presents organizations which are divided into two independent, but interrelated systems, containing four components - people, structure, task, and technology - that impinge on each other (Figure 1). The technical subsystem relates to tasks and technologies which are needed to transform a given input into an output, the social subsystem focusses on relationships among people, structures, and reward systems as well as their attitudes, values and skills (Bostrom & Heinen, 1977b, p. 14; Bostrom & Heinen, 1977a, p. 17). By that, the STS gives organizations a framework which allows optimizing technical requirements along with the needs and values of its members, always focusing on the joint optimization of both, technical requirements and psychological and social aspects.
STSs are complex constructs whose design requires a clear vision of requirements, identification of suitable value-adding technologies for the unique operative environment and an integration in, as well as coordination of, a variety of processes that are part of heterogeneous organizations. More complexity is added since STSs are part of evolving and dynamic operative environments that require the system’s evolution and participation (Cabri et al., 2016, p. 4).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the motivation, research gap, and research questions concerning the integration of IoT technologies into waste management systems.
2 Theoretical Background: This chapter establishes the foundation regarding socio-technical systems, current waste management practices, and the Internet of Things.
3 Methodology: This chapter outlines the Design Science Research (DSR) approach utilized to create and evaluate the conceptual SWM artifact.
4 The Smart Waste Management Ecosystem: This chapter presents the empirical findings, the evaluation of IoT technologies, and the resulting SWM value chain and ecosystem framework.
5 Discussion: This chapter critically reflects on the results within the socio-technical framework, addressing systemic barriers, stakeholder attitudes, and operational challenges.
6 Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the thesis, acknowledges limitations, and proposes directions for future research.
Keywords
Waste Management, Internet of Things, Smart City, Smart Waste Management, Value Chain, Socio-Technical Systems, Sustainability, IoT, Design Science Research, Digital Ecosystem, Resource Management, Waste Hierarchy, Information Systems, Urban Development, Data Analytics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this master's thesis?
The thesis focuses on developing a Smart Waste Management (SWM) Ecosystem by integrating IoT technologies into existing waste management processes to enhance efficiency and sustainability in developed municipal settings.
What are the key thematic areas addressed?
The work covers socio-technical systems, the evolution of waste management practices, the implementation of IoT infrastructure, and the strategic integration of these elements into a holistic smart city ecosystem.
What is the primary research question?
The research asks: "What are the implications of IoT capabilities for the WM sector and how can they be used to enhance the value chain?"
Which research methodology is applied?
The author utilizes a Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, which involves conducting semi-structured interviews with industry experts and reviewing existing literature to construct and evaluate an artifact (the SWM Ecosystem).
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section evaluates specific IoT technologies (such as RFID, sensors, and Cloud infrastructure) and applies them to transform the traditional, manual waste management value chain into an automated, data-driven system.
Which keywords best describe the work?
Key terms include Smart Waste Management, IoT, Value Chain, Socio-Technical Systems, Smart City, and Sustainable Waste Management.
How does this SWM framework affect existing organizational roles?
The framework highlights that automation and data-driven routing shift the traditional role of employees and management, requiring new skill sets in data analytics while simultaneously posing challenges regarding the displacement of low-skilled labor.
What is the role of the "Socio-Technical System" in this research?
The STS approach serves as a crucial lens to understand that technological solutions alone are insufficient. The author emphasizes that successful implementation requires alignment between technology, social structures, policies, and stakeholder participation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sina Reubelt (Autor:in), 2017, Waste Management in the smart city. Future possibilities with the integration of "Internet of Things" (IoT) technologies, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/899948
