This thesis examines perceptions of cooperation among small to medium sized enterprises (SME) in western Oregon's forest products industry. Recent changes in the industry, such as corporate consolidation, global marketing, and government regulations have created an environment in which many SMEs find it difficult to stay competitive. Cooperation among SMEs is one method for alleviating the situation; however, few SME owners are engaging in cooperative projects or behaviors. Common assumptions and stereotypes about the individualistic nature of the forest products industry lead some to believe that cooperation is an unlikely avenue for SME owners. Through 16 in-depth interviews with SME owners, this view is found to be overly simplistic. It does not account for the variety of factors at play and the depth of the issues involved in SME owners' attitudes toward cooperation. In studying attitudes toward cooperation, this study first attempts to understand the cultural values of the decision makers. It is apparent that values play an integral role in the decision making and strategy of SME owners. This research highlights the complexity of the issues facing small businesses and their owners and reveals that four main factors contribute to SME owners' perceptions about cooperation and influence strategic business decisions: common values, stereotypes, risk perception, and a lack of knowledge about cooperation. Values are found to be especially relevant in understanding and influencing attitudes toward cooperation as values affect risk perception and risk perception in turn directly impacts business strategy. Understanding the values of SME owners helps to describe their attitudes toward cooperation and dispels the notion that they are too independent to ever work together. Eight recommendations stem from the findings of this study which may lead to cooperative action and more successful SMEs: 1) Find a trustworthy agent to act as a sponsor; 2) Build credible systems; 3) Match members with similar values; 4) Expound the potential benefits of cooperation to reduce risk perception; 5) Find a spark plug, not a spokesperson; 6) Provide education; 7) Define and implement both learning networks and action groups; 8) Target new and future categories of SME owners such as women and the children or grandchildren of current owners. / Graduation date: 2004

This thesis examines some of the factors that will have significant impact upon employment in Douglas County, Oregon to the year 2000. The major question this research attempts to answer is: Given a continuation of current policies and programs, what will future employment levels in the forest product industries and total employment levels in all industries in Douglas County be to the year 2000.

Innovation is a critical component for long term success of an organization. However, being innovative is rarely easy. Successful implementation of any innovation (product, process, or business system) can heavily rely on the functionality of the current innovation system in a given industry. An innovation system is composed of policies, companies, individuals, and other major actors that may play a role in the development and diffusion of an innovation into the marketplace. Historically, the forest products industry has faced numerous challenges in remaining innovative: outside forces provide few incentives or favorable policies while poor communication among industry sectors impedes creative growth from within. An in-depth analysis of why the forest sector innovation system is not performing at a higher level is therefore essential. This thesis outlines results gathered from personal interviews with industry professionals and an industry survey on key policies, incentives, organizations, and the condition of Oregon's forest sector innovation system in general. Ultimately, the research provides recommendations for an improved forest sector innovation system that can, in turn, increase competitiveness and synergies among forest sector companies, higher education, and other businesses in Oregon. / Graduation date: 2013