Ressursiks

Ressursiks is a theoretical framework used in resource studies to analyze how networks of material, human, and institutional resources are managed under conditions of uncertainty and disruption. The term blends the Norwegian word ressurs (resource) with the suffix -iks, indicating a field of study or system of ideas.

The framework treats resource security as a property of dynamic systems rather than static stock. It emphasizes interdependencies across supply chains, demand, substitution, and governance, and it views outcomes such as availability, cost, and reliability as emergent from interactions among actors, technologies, and policies.

Core concepts include substitutability, redundancy, and circularity. Ressursiks distinguishes essential resources with few substitutes from more flexible ones, and it accounts for time scales from immediate shocks to long-term trends. Governance is seen as a key driver of resilience, encompassing diversification of sources, information sharing, and strategic planning.

Components and indicators under ressursiks cover inventories, exposure to disruption, diversification of suppliers, substitution potential, lead times, and recovery time. Indicators may track stock adequacy, dependency concentration, and the effectiveness of recycling or reuse programs.

Applications of ressursiks span policy design, corporate risk assessments, and urban planning. The framework helps identify vulnerabilities and guide strategies such as local sourcing, recycling initiatives, and the creation of strategic reserves.

Critique notes that ressursiks, as a relatively new concept, faces questions about operationalization and measurement. Some observers caution against overemphasizing resilience at the expense of efficiency. See also resource management, circular economy, resilience, sustainability indicators.