M.S.

This thesis assesses the impact of the Jepara Furniture Value Chain (FVC) project, which was conducted by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) to address challenges faced by small-scale furniture producers in Jepara, Indonesia. This assessment focuses on the effect of membership in the APKJ, a producer association started as part of the project. The propensity score for association membership was estimated using unchanging firm and owner characteristics, as well as information recalled about firm operations in 2009 (before the association was formed). Propensity score matching was used to compare outcome variables of association members and non-members. Results suggest that membership in the APKJ does not have a significant effect on profit levels. Using differenced current and recalled marketing and production behaviors as outcome variables with propensity score matching indicates that members have improved their bargaining position and marketing behaviors more than non-members since 2009. Additionally, APKJ members are more likely to have obtained certificates of timber legality / Master of Science

U.S. manufacturers of wood household, wood office and upholstered furniture were surveyed to (1) assess wood material use for 1990 and estimate use for 1991, and 1992, and (2) to examine consumer perceptions of certain hardwood lumber and supplier attributes in order to ascertain which are most influential in consumer purchase decisions. This study also provided information about the respondents, RTA and unfinished furniture, and green lumber purchases. Total 1990 hardwood lumber used in wood furniture was estimated at over 2.4 billion board feet. Use was expected to increase 13% from 1990 to 1992. Softwood lumber used in wood furniture in 1990 was estimated at over 839 million board feet. A 6% increase in softwood lumber use was expected from 1990 to 1992. Red oak was the most commonly used hardwood species and southern pine was the most used softwood. Furniture manufacturers indicated a decrease in particleboard and MDF use, and an increase in hardboard and OSB/softwood plywood use from 1990 to 1992. Product consistency was the attribute which most influenced the purchase of hardwood lumber, followed by accurate grading, supplier's knowledge of lumber, correct orders, and shipping on time. The least influential attributes were square end trimming, square edges, protective wrapping, end coating and supplier's ability to surface. Just over 20% of the respondents manufactured Ready-to-Assemble furniture and just over 15% manufactured unfinished furniture. Overall, 26% of respondents purchased green hardwood lumber, most being larger firms. Most firms' purchases of green lumber either have not changed, or have increased, over the last 5 years. / Master of Science

This dissertation reports an analysis of the work roles of chief executive officers in small furniture manufacturing firms. Certain roles are operational - nature, while others are strategic in nature. The basic research question being addressed is: which work roles, if any, are perceived as more important to the position of a CEO in small furniture manufacturing firms? The subjects of this study consisted of ten CEOs of wood furniture manufacturing firms located in the state of Virginia. The roles examined in this study were those described by Hemphill in his research on 93 executives from five manufacturing firms. The approach used in this study to model the judgment of the CEOs is called "Brunswiks Lens Model." This lens model approach provides a quantified, descriptive summary of the way an individual weighs and combines information. The research design utilized in this study is a fixed 2⁸ factorial ANOVA. Two basic analytical techniques were employed: correlation and ANOVA. An analysis of variance was performed on each CEO's set of responses. All ten CEOs showed that there are significant differences in the relative importance of the eight roles being examined. Fifteen operational hypotheses were tested for significance (p < .10) for each CEO. All 15 of the operational Hypotheses were rejected by seven of the CEOs. This indicated the importance they place on the strategically oriented roles. The remaining three CEOs perceived certain operational roles as being of primary importance. Three potential explanations have been proffered to account for this preference toward strategically oriented roles by these CEOs. First, the static nature of the technology utilized in the wood furniture manufacturing industry may allow the CEO to focus more on strategic factors facing the firm. Second, the heavy competition within this industry may "force" the CEO to manage the firm strategically if they are to be successful. Third, every CEO who had a preference for strategically oriented roles were CEOs of their firm for a minimum of ten years. Thus, there appears to be support to suggest that the relative importance of the operationally and strategically oriented work roles of CEOs may be largely contingent upon the technology utilized, competitive structure of the industry and the tenure of the CEO. / Ph. D.

Yes / Chests were a ubiquitous part of medieval church furniture across Britain and Europe. Late 19th and early 20th century scholars believed that one type, the dug-out chest, was devoid of technical skill, and as such, confined to the earliest period of chest chronology. Perhaps as a result of the ‘primitive’ label, dug-outs remain relatively under-studied in relation to other types of chests and surprisingly few attempts have been made to validate ideas about their early origin through scientific dating. The current study uses dendrochronology to directly date a selection of dug-out chests, almost doubling the number of dated chests of this type in England and producing the earliest absolute dates for their construction. Five dug-out chests from the case-study counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire returned dates ranging from the 13th-16th century, showing that they are not chronologically confined to the ‘earliest’ period. This research also demonstrates how analysing extant saw-marks, along with the different methods of attaching chest lids, can assist in dating a chest’s construction. By understanding the tools and processes of construction, this research challenges the existing accepted framework that dug-outs are the ‘crudest’ and ‘most primitive’ type of church chest in the medieval period. Together these findings offer a new methodology and framework for studies of church chests in Britain and Europe. / This paper is based on research undertaken by Rachel Sycamore, as part of a Master’s by Research, at the University of Worcester (Sycamore, 2021). Funding for the dendrochronology was provided by the Regional Furniture Society.

U.S. manufacturers of wood household (SIC 2511), upholstered household (SIC 2512) and wood office furniture (SIC 2521) were surveyed to assess wood materials use within these three industry segments. The final sample frame contained 5,016 manufacturing locations. This investigation also provides a profile of the types of products produced and the channels of distribution used to move these products to the final consumer from a second sample of 347 manufacturers of wood household furniture. In 1989 the three industry segments surveyed consumed an estimated 2.3 billion board feet of hardwood lumber, 865 million board feet of softwood lumber, 1.3 billion square feet of particleboard (3/4" basis), and 370 million square feet of medium density fiberboard (3/4" basis). Further, an estimated 268 million square feet of softwood plywood (3/8" basis), 1025 million square feet of veneer and 310 million board feet of dimension stock were used in 1989 to produce wood furniture within the three industry segments examined. Within the second sample containing solely manufacturers of wood household furniture, solid hardwood furniture was most commonly produced. Over 50% of the responding companies manufactured bedroom, dining room and occasional furniture. Responses regarding the volumes of furniture shipped through channel intermediaries revealed over 60% of sales were through manufacturer’s representatives to retailers and wholesalers. Weighted by company sales, the largest volumes of wood household furniture were sold through free-standing furniture stores (28.9% of respondent’s sales) and manufacturer’s own stores (23.4%). / Master of Science

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate short length lumber (less than 8 feet long) utilization opportunities within the furniture and cabinet industries. In the first part of the study a data bank of mapped red oak lumber was used to search for differences in lumber characteristics between lumber length groups. The same data was used to evaluate opportunities for improving the value of a piece of lumber by trimming a lower grade, longer length piece to obtain a shorter, higher grade board. The defect data indicated that wane makes up a slightly higher percentage of the total defect area for short boards than for long boards but the degree of crook deviation for short boards is significantly less than for long boards. The value improvement analysis indicated that fifteen percent of the 1 Common, and 49 percent of the 2A Common, 8 and 9 foot long boards could be trimmed to a higher grade, higher value short board. The effect of lumber length on random width dimension yields was examined using the CORY lumber cut-up program. For 10 of the 18 cutting bill combinations examined, the regression between total yield and lumber length was significant. In the significant crosscut-first relationships total yield decreased with increasing lumber length. In the significant rip-first relationships total yield decreased as lumber length increased. The variable which showed the strongest and most consistently significant relationship to lumber length was the average volume of parts produced per furniture rough mill sawing operation; the regression of board feet per sawing operation was significantly and negatively related to lumber length in 14 of the 18 cutting bill combinations tested. Regression results indicated that as crook decreases, total cutting yield, average cutting length, part volume per sawing operation, and part value tend to increase. Short and longer length lumber yields were also compared in mill studies. The mill studies were conducted at a crosscut-first furniture rough mill and at a rip-first cabinet rough mill. Total yield, the yield of the longest length cutting on the cutting bill, the percentage of total yield made up of the three longest length cuttings, average cutting length, and crosscut and rip saw rates were investigated. The only significant regression relationships detected were: 1 - for the crosscut-first, 2A Common analysis the percentage of total yield made up of the three longest length cuttings was inversely related to lumber length, and 2 - for the rip-first, 1 Common and 2A Common analyses the ripsaw volume throughput rate improved with increasing lumber length. Simulation studies based on models of these same two rough mills indicated that the volume and value of parts cut from short length lumber in a crosscut-first rough mill compares favorably with the volume and value recovery obtained from longer length lumber. In the “worst case” crosscut-first production alternative the breakeven short length lumber price was only $129 less per thousand board feet than the going market price for longer length lumber. For the rip-first model the volume and value of parts produced from short lumber was only 60 percent that of the longer length lumber. The breakeven short length lumber prices calculated for this model ranged between $373 and $653 per mbf. / Ph. D.

Today’s society tends to value productivity and long working hours, where taking breaks and needing rest when at work can be perceived as signs of weakness or sickness rather than a necessity for wellbeing. According to The Swedish Work Environment Authority you must provide a resting room in workplaces with more than 50 employees. Job-related stress and burnout are growing problems, so I see the resting room as an important space with great potential to work preventively with this problem. Sensory Space focuses on resting rooms and explores ways to deal with stress and exhaustion through interior architecture and design and how it can promote rest and recovery. The aim is to integrate rest as a more natural part of the workplace by making resting rooms more attractive, inviting and restorative. I have been visiting and analyzing existing resting rooms, making field studies to other spaces for rest and contemplation, reading studies and research on the subject of restorative environments and interviewing a designer who works with creating health promoting environments based on neuro science. The project explores how atmosphere, material associations and a variety of sensory impressions can create a feeling of connection to nature. The result is an inviting resting room with objects that can be placed freely throughout the room for you to interact with materials which can enhance the experience of resting and make it more pleasant.

Mini-study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this dissertation is to analyse the strategic errors and successes made in order to understand the reasons for Steinhoff International's investment in South African companies and the purpose of listing on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE). The South African furniture manufacturing industry currently has only one listed company on the JSE and the comparison with competitors from a Steinhoff perspective has been difficult due to the lack of available information and the presence of retailers listed under the furniture sector on the JSE. The study begins with the background of the furniture manufacturing industry and the broad product categories referred to in the industry. Thereafter the history of Steinhoff International follows with their introduction to furniture manufacturing and the entry into South Africa. The study then evaluates the market with relevant analysis to discuss strategic decisions made and evaluates Steinhoff International's strategy. The focus on Steinhoff is specifically from 1995 to 1999 since their investment in South Africa until the merger with the Cornick Group that led to the current structure of Steinhoff International. It is the purpose of the writer to evaluate the company from a strategic point of view for the compilation and use of a case study by fellow students in this field. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die proefskrif is om te poog om die strategiese foute en suksesse te evalueer en uit te lig ten einde te verstaan hoe Steinhoff Internasionaal tot die slotsom gekom het om in Suid Afrika te investeer en wat die doelwitte en redes vir die notering op die Johannesburgse Effekte Beurs was. Die meubelvervaardigingsindustrie het tans slegs een genoteerde maatskappy in die Suid Afrikaanse mark en die vergelyking met mededingers is dus aansienlik bemoeilik aangesien die meubelsektor op die JSE uit kleinhandelaars bestaan wat die eindverbruiker bedien. Die studie begin met die agtergrond tot die meubelvervaardigingsindustrie en 'n uiteensetting van die produkkategoriëe. Daarna volg die geskiedenis van Steinhoff Internasionaal en hoe hulle by vervaardiging betrokke geraak het en tot Suid Afrika toegetree het as beleggers. Die studie behandel dan die mark met die gepaste ontledings om strategiese besluite te bespreek, waarna Steinhoff Internasionaal in terme van hulle strategie ontleed word. Die fokus op die maatskappy is veral sedert 1995 tot 1999, vanaf die aanvanklike belegging in Suid Afrika tot die uiteindelike oorname en assimilering van die Cornick Groep wat gelei het tot die huidige formaat van Steinhoff Internasionaal. Dit is die doel van die skrywer om die maatskappy vanuit In strategiese oogpunt te evalueer vir die samestelling van In bruikbare gevallestudie vir mede studente in hierdie veld.

Considerando a temática do mobiliário, este trabalho estuda, levanta e analisa as mudanças formais e funcionais ocorridas nas estantes residenciais de sala para equipamentos de som e imagem, a partir de 1950, data da chegada ao Brasil dos primeiros aparelhos de televisão, até os dias atuais. Tem como objetivo determinar quais os fatores que propiciaram ou condicionaram as alterações neste móvel, que vem acompanhando a evolução dos equipamentos aos quais dá suporte, considerando aspectos tecnológicos (processos produtivos, materiais utilizados), de projeto (concepção fundamentada ou não no Design de Produtos) ou sociais (relações com o usuário e com os ambientes onde está inserido). Para conhecimento dos processos produtivos atualmente empregados na fabricação das estantes e os produtos resultantes, procedeu-se a uma pesquisa qualitativa de dados primários, apoiada no estudo de casos de algumas empresas participantes do APL Movelaria Paulista (marca do Arranjo Produtivo Local de Móveis da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo). Os resultados retratam os modos de conceber e produzir estantes de madeira para uso residencial, que dão suporte aos equipamentos de som e imagem, apontando algumas categorias de marcenarias, estabelecidas em função do tipo de projeto e de produção decorrentes das trajetórias de cada empresa em direção à industrialização. / Concerning the furniture theme, this study raises and analyses changes regarding formats and functions that have occured in image and sound equipments in residential living rooms racks from 1950, date in which the first TV sets were introduced in Brazil, up today. The purpose is to determine which factors allowed or conditioned changes in this kind of furniture, keeping up with the evolution of the equipments to which gives support, considering the following aspects: technological (production processes, materials), project (product or non-product based conception design) or social (users and environment interaction in which it is inserted). In order to become acquainted with the productive processes currently used in rack manufacturing and related products, a primary qualitative data survey was conducted, supported by case studies of several companies that participate in the APL Movelaria Paulista (brand of São Paulo Metropolitan Area Furniture Productive Arrangement). The results portrait the ways to conceive and produce residential wood racks which give support to image and sound equipments, indicating several categories of wood furniture industries, established according to type of project and production line each company developed along the years, as it stepped into the industrialization age.