scholarly journals HARDWOOD TRADE IN SELECTED COUNTRIES OF EASTERN EUROPE

Wood Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 1064-1075
Author(s):  
AGNESA MRAČKOVÁ ◽  
MILAN ŠIMEK ◽  
EVA HAVIAROVÁ ◽  
ZOLTÁN PÁSZTORY

This study focuses on trade of hardwood products in selected countries of Eastern Europe, specifically the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. It was supported by a survey conducted with companies producing products made of hardwoods. It monitors trade trends in the wood products industry, specifically focusing on lumber, wooden veneers, furniture production, musical instruments, and wooden accessories. It also addresses the current and potential import and use of the US hardwood lumber in these countries. The study is also pointing out the shortcomings of the monitored markets. The online questionnaire and follow-up phone calls were used to obtain information from companies in countries of interest. Results showed that 83.3% of Czech respondents already use imported hardwoods in their production, followed by Hungary (69.2%) and Slovakia (54.6%). Despite the relatively high values of imported hardwood products, the overall results show that there is only a small potential for an increase in import of the US hardwoods in the wood products industry in chosen countries. The utilization of tropical hardwood species will continue because of their superior properties for specialized products such as musical instruments. Results also point out the grooving importance of certified hardwoods, their utilization, and trade.

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 2494-2504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco X. Aguilar ◽  
Robert K. Grala ◽  
Stephen M. Bratkovich

Forest business clusters offer a unique opportunity to improve competitiveness of the forest products sector and stimulate economic development in rural areas. This study utilized georeferenced data on the location of primary wood products manufacturers in the US South to examine spatial clustering within this industry. Independent spatial analyses, F-hat and L-hat, and a χ2 statistic provided evidence of regional clustering. A count data model was used to determine location preference of primary wood-using mills and identify factors promoting industry clustering. It was determined that access to a labor pool, low cost of primary inputs, presence of related industries, adequate transportation infrastructure, and low land values positively influenced clustering among primary wood-using mills. A marginal analysis indicated that counties with adequate transportation infrastructure and presence of related industries were most likely to attract new primary forest products manufacturers. These two factors increased the predicted number of sawmills by 26.83% and 22.65%, respectively. Increases in prices of logs and energy can deter the spatial aggregation of wood-using mills. Results provide evidence that public investments in infrastructure can have an important role in attracting wood products industry firms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5641
Author(s):  
Carlos Suárez-Gargallo ◽  
Patrocinio Zaragoza-Sáez

This paper provides a deeper knowledge of the implementation of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) in the Spanish footwear industry, under an exploratory research which has been conducted with a final sample of seven firms. An online questionnaire was developed, supported by phone calls and a personal interview. An 18–24-month-period has been found to be enough to develop solid foundations for a BSC. Financial and non-financial measures are presented in the whole firms and in the majority of the four perspectives, linked by cause-and-effect relationships, showing a high development in the BSC implementation. BSCs with a high grade of development are more likely to identify their intangibles as well as include them in the firm’s strategy. A personal BSC has been identified as a limitation. Although the strategy is spread out with meetings in the whole firms, it is not known at all levels, showing a gap to be fulfilled. Strategy maps are key in BCS implementation: they are present in the majority of the firms and show that the performance drivers reach the strategy. Firms with a high grade of development and expectation, using both financial and non-financial measures linked by cause-and-effect relationships, are more likely to define sustainable measures, integrating them in their own BSC.


2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1703-1715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Crespell ◽  
Eric Hansen

Innovativeness can help companies differentiate themselves, with the ultimate goal of securing survival and improving performance. Modern theories in organizational behavior look at innovation as something that starts with individual creativity but that is also affected by the work environment. Using one broad industry sector, the US forest products industry, this study attempts to integrate into a unifying model the concepts of work climate, innovativeness, and firm performance using structural equation modeling. Results support the proposed theoretical model, with some modifications, finding a positive and significant relationship among all factors. Having innovation as a core part of a company’s strategy and fostering a climate for innovation positively affects the degree of innovativeness and performance of a company. This is especially true for secondary or value-added wood products manufacturers. A climate for innovation is characterized by high levels of autonomy and encouragement, team cohesion, openness to change and risk taking, and sufficient resources available to people. Lack of a validation sample suggests treating the model as tentative until further testing.


2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Jane Chudleigh ◽  
Jürg Barben ◽  
Clement L. Ren ◽  
Kevin W. Southern

The main aim of the present study was to explore health professionals’ reported experiences and approaches to managing children who receive a designation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-related metabolic syndrome/cystic fibrosis screen positive inconclusive diagnosis following a positive NBS result for cystic fibrosis. An online questionnaire was distributed via Qualtrics Survey Software and circulated to a purposive, international sample of health professionals involved in managing children with this designation. In total, 101 clinicians completed the online survey: 39 from the US, six from Canada, and 56 from Europe (including the UK). Results indicated that while respondents reported minor deviations in practice, they were cognizant of recommendations in the updated guidance and for the most part, attempted to implement these into practice consistently internationally. Where variation was reported, the purpose of this appeared to be to enable clinicians to respond to either clinical assessments or parental anxiety in order to improve outcomes for the child and family. Further research is needed to determine if these findings are reflective of both a wider audience of clinicians and actual (rather than reported) practice.


1997 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
James T. Simpson ◽  
Brent M. Wren

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