Practice Abstract - Research and innovation

Training method: the Eco-analysis

Training method: the Eco-analysis

The Eco analysis is an extension of the Network Analysis, and analyses the quality of the relationships. This allows for assessing in more detail what it takes to move towards collaborative relations. It is based on the idea that all living creatures have three basic needs: safety, nutrition and reproduction. This is also true for initiative networks.
Safety: Some factors can provide safety to the “We” network” of initiators (e.g. project management), while others might be threatening (concurrence).
Nutrition:  All resources needed for the initiative (e.g. expertise, information, money, human power, etc.)
Reproduction: This is the contribution to the world when the initiative yields success. What will become visible? And how will the movement carry on? In ecosystems, organisms relate to each other in different ways. Relations can be symbiotic or destructive for at least one party. Can be identify five types of relationships: i) Partner: There is balance between give and take; ii) Symbiosis: both partners profit; iii) Predator – Prey: There is unbalance between give and take. Predator profits at the cost of the prey; iv) Parasite: Breaks in and causes disease; v) Plague: Overwhelms and destroys. The challenge is to curb relationships towards complementarity. 
Dealing with partners: cherish good relationships, and keep on investing in vitality.
Dealing with predators: gain strength and negotiate for mutual gain.
Dealing with preys: bring balance in give and take for a long lasting relationship.
Dealing with Parasites: fix the hole in your defence, and find out what these actors are telling you from a systems perspective.
Dealing with Plagues: seek rescue in your warm network, and make yourself ready for new opportunities that will emerge.

The Eco analysis is an extension of the Network Analysis, and analyses the quality of the relationships. This allows for assessing in more detail what it takes to move towards collaborative relations. It is based on the idea that all living creatures have three basic needs: safety, nutrition and reproduction. This is also true for initiative networks.
Safety: Some factors can provide safety to the “We” network” of initiators (e.g. project management), while others might be threatening (concurrence).
Nutrition:  All resources needed for the initiative (e.g. expertise, information, money, human power, etc.)
Reproduction: This is the contribution to the world when the initiative yields success. What will become visible? And how will the movement carry on? In ecosystems, organisms relate to each other in different ways. Relations can be symbiotic or destructive for at least one party. Can be identify five types of relationships: i) Partner: There is balance between give and take; ii) Symbiosis: both partners profit; iii) Predator – Prey: There is unbalance between give and take. Predator profits at the cost of the prey; iv) Parasite: Breaks in and causes disease; v) Plague: Overwhelms and destroys. The challenge is to curb relationships towards complementarity. 
Dealing with partners: cherish good relationships, and keep on investing in vitality.
Dealing with predators: gain strength and negotiate for mutual gain.
Dealing with preys: bring balance in give and take for a long lasting relationship.
Dealing with Parasites: fix the hole in your defence, and find out what these actors are telling you from a systems perspective.
Dealing with Plagues: seek rescue in your warm network, and make yourself ready for new opportunities that will emerge.

Source Project
i2connect - Connecting advisers to boost interactive innovation in agriculture and forestry
Ongoing | 2019-2024
Main funding source
Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
Geographical location
France
Project details

Project Keywords