*1.3. Contribution and Novelty*

The objective of this study was to develop a factorial ecological-extended physical input-output model (abbreviated as FE-PIOM) and apply it to a real USWS of Fujian Province (in China). The innovations and contributions are: (i) a novel integrated model (FE-PIOM) developed through incorporating a physical input-output model (PIOM), ecological network analysis (ENA), and fractional factorial analysis (FFA) within a general framework; (ii) FE-PIOM can analyze urban solid waste production flows and associated ecological relationships among economic sectors; (iii) FE-PIOM can recognize key factors in complex USWS, quantify their single and joint effects on USWS performance and provide sound urban solid waste production control path; (iv) this is the first attempt to apply such an integrated model (FE-PIOM) to a real case of USWS, and results can help managers to generate desired strategies for urban solid waste reduction.
