In recent years, a second generation of Web-based technologies have as “Web 2.0” At the core of Web 2.0 are web-based services, social networking and online collaborative functions. Forestry, like other disciplines, has the potential to take advantage of these technologies to alter or change the way traditional interaction between forestry professionals and other interested parties is undertaken. This dissertation explores the use of Web 2.0 and social networking technologies in two domains: (1) eBusiness and (2) Urban Ecology. The thesis is designed to provide essentially two chapters that stand on their own, and describe the background and the design and development of two Web 2.0 online systems. The eBusiness chapter of this thesis includes the research on the applicability of the online community model for today’s forest sector electronic businesses-to-business platforms. The Urban Ecology chapter consists of the research how data integration along with a “content management system” designed for a social network website can be exploited to improve collaboration among geographically distant researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders interested in Urban Ecology. In addition to the text in this dissertation, a “supplement” to this dissertation are two computer systems and databases that the author developed over the course of 2006-2007.

[pt] Este artigo busca examinar a política comercial europeia em relação aos produtos florestais não madeireiros (non-wood forest products; NWFP) sob a perspectiva da legislatura da UE, com a hipótese de que há pouca política comercial da UE que promova a produção e as importações desses produtos de outros países para a UE. O exame foi feito usando a análise de documentos como método para examinar os registros públicos na base de dados EUR-Lex contendo a palavra chave non-wood forest products. Em seus resultados, o artigo apresenta parágrafos relevantes contendo a palavra-chave juntamente com informações contextuais e análises. O artigo conclui que sua hipótese está correta no sentido de que há pouca política relacionada ao comércio de NWFPs e os NWFPs tendem a ser tratados simplesmente como outros produtos florestais, não como um tipo particular de produto florestal com méritos próprios (como benefícios ambientais e socioeconômicos). O artigo termina com sugestões de políticas e ações para apoiar o comércio internacional de NWFPs. / [en] This article attempts to examine European trade policy regarding non-wood forest products (NWFP) from the perspective of the EU legislature, with the hypothesis that there is little EU trade policy promoting NWFP production and imports from other countries to the EU. The examination was done by using document analysis as method to examine public records in the EUR-Lex database containing the keyword non-wood forest products. In its findings, the article presents relevant paragraphs containing the keyword together with contextual information and analysis. The article concludes that its hypothesis is correct in that there is little policy related to NWFP trade and NWFPs tend to be treated as simply another forest product, not as a particular type of forest product with merits of its own (such as environmental and socioeconomic benefits). The article ends with suggestions for policy and action to support international trade in NWFPs.

This study is one of the first of its kind to examine actual consumer purchasing decisions for forest products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Consumer purchasing was examined based on the presence or absence of a promotional brochure and a price premium for red oak and yellow poplar surfaced-four-sides (S4S) boards. This research also compared typical demographic factors for purchasers and non-purchasers of FSC certified S4S boards. Finally, the study examined subscales from a previously designed ecoscale to determine whether two of the subscales were effective predictors of the sale of FSC certified boards. Due to significant interactions between the price premium and the promotional brochure, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics could not be interpreted. However, these strong interactions indicate that these two factors are interdependent. Examining respondents' understanding of the trade term, "certification," showed that most did not understand the term as it is used by the forest products industry. Respondents did not link certification directly with the environment, but rather stated that it was a measure of quality excellence. This illustrates that the forest products industry must use more specific descriptions that consumers will understand when referring to certification. Based on survey results from this study, a large proportion of respondents who paid more for FSC certified boards were unable to recall whether they had cost any more than the alternative product. Respondents of this study were not found to have a high level of confidence in the environmental claims of any group. These included forest products companies, industry associations, and independent organizations. The subscales of a previously designed ecoscale were not found to be strong indicators of a respondents' likelihood to purchase FSC certified S4S boards. This project should be seen as a starting point for additional researchers interested in studying actual purchase decisions of consumers of environmentally conscious products, such as certified hardwood boards. / Master of Science

No Abstract Provided / Thesis / Bachelor of Arts (BA)

A questionnaire was sent to 2,111 U.S. pallet and container manufacturers to (1) estimate the total volume of hardwood lumber, softwood lumber, and wood-based panels used by the industry in 1991, (2) estimate lumber use by species category within the industry, and (3) predict shifts in the volumes of wood-based materials used by the U.S. pallet and container industry. Data from 656 pallet and container manufacturers were analyzed and used to estimate total industry use of the wood materials. Total 1991 hardwood lumber and cant use was estimated to be over 3.8 billion board feet and consumption was expected to increase 13% by 1993. Softwood lumber and cant consumption in 1991 was estimated to be over 1.8 billion board feet and an increase of 7% was expected by 1993. Softwood plywood use during 1991 was estimated to account for 271 million square feet (3/4" basis) and consumption was expected to increase by 13% through 1993. Oriented strandboard use for 1991 was estimated to be 36 million square feet (7/16" basis) and use of OSB was predicted to increase 25% by 1993. Oak was the largest single species group consumed by pallet and container manufacturers in 1991, accounting for over 1.6 billion board feet of lumber, cants, parts, and shook. Southern yellow pine consumption was an estimated 541 million board feet in 1991, followed closely by almost 500 million board feet of yellow-poplar, and over 227 million board feet of alder. Seventy percent of hardwood lumber and cant purchases (by volume) were made direct from the sawmill in 1991. Softwood lumber purchases were made either from a lumber broker (38%) or direct from the sawmill (37%). / Master of Science

The survey of medium-to-large forest industry firms across the South found 11,215 landowners enrolled in formal industrial landowner assistance programs in 1989. LAPs appeal to landowners with relatively large holdings who normally have financial returns as a part of their objectives. The forest industry has encouraged this group of owners to participate because of the efficiency in managing large tracts. The average LAP tract size of 428 acres is much larger than the average southern NIPF holding of 47 acres by a factor of ten (Birch et al. 1982). The forest industry enrolled 4,798,274 acres in their LAPs in 1989. Most firms indicated that they planned to increase the size of their LAPs by a total of 1,094,000 acres (23%) over the next five years. The popularity of LAPs in the forest industry appears to be based primarily upon their reliability and cost in comparison to other timber supply strategies (i.e., fee land, leased land, and the open market). Over half (53%) of the firms reported that they had successfully purchased at least 90 percent of the desired timber put up for sale in their LAPs. In case studies of three company programs, a capital budgeting analysis showed that the LAP was the least costly alternative for one firm and that the open market was the least costly timber supply strategy, followed closely by LAPs, for two firms. The LAP was the least costly strategy for Company C primarily because the probability of procuring timber in the LAP (0.95) was much greater than the probability of procurement on the open market (0.30). Since more than half of the surveyed firms were successful in purchasing a substantial part (90%) of the desired timber offered for sale in their LAPs, these results suggest that firms which operate in areas of heavy competition for timber, with correspondingly low probabilities of procurement success on the open market, may find LAPs to be their least expensive timber supply strategy. / Master of Science

The strategic importance of the adoption of innovative processing technologies was analyzed for building products businesses. This study examined the two components of wood building products businesses: the structural panel industry and the softwood Iumber industry. To ensure that the relevance of adopting of innovative processing technologies was examined within an accurate contextual environment, additional important strategies and performance were also measured. A mail survey of the seventy-five largest North American producers of these two products provided the primary data necessary to investigate the strategic importance of process technology adoption, forward vertical integration, relative market share, grade sector focus, and investment intensity on firm performance as measured by profitability surrogates and changes in relative market share. This survey collected direct measures of the proportion of 1987 production produced by respondent firms that used controlled distribution channels and each of twentythree processes indicative of innovative technologies in the manufacture of building products. Information concerning the other strategic and performance factors was collected from secondary data sources. Results indicate that the adoption of innovative processing technologies has a positive impact on firm profitability. Investment intensity and grade sector focus also contributed to superior profitability. Forward vertical integration, and relative market share had no impact in differences between performance levels for the firms studied. Technologies were examined for underlying dimensions that group different process technologies together. Firms were clustered according to their level of adoption of innovative processing technologies and these clusters were then described according to a variety of firm-dependent characteristics, strategies, and performance measures. A strategy-performance model was developed for standardized, industrial product-markets and empirically tested using the data collected for the building products industry as an industry representative of this type of competitive environment. / Ph. D.

The value-based approach to defining quality was used to investigate the value perceptions of softwood lumber treaters in the United States. Conjoint measurement techniques were used to estimate the trade-offs treaters make between quality enhancing attributes and price. Five intrinsic lumber attributes and five service attributes were chosen for inclusion in the study based on Hansen (1994) and personal interviews with treaters. Price was represented in the study relative to the current market price. Data were gathered in two stages through mail surveys of softwood lumber buyers at treating plants located in the United States. In the first stage, value ratings of 20 hypothetical combinations of lumber attributes and 20 hypothetical combinations of service attributes were obtained along with demographic information. In the second stage, value ratings of 20 hypothetical total products (combinations of both lumber and service attributes) were obtained. Utility functions for lumber value and service value were determined using ordinary least squares regression. Treaters gave the most importance to wane when evaluating the value of lumber packs. Price emerged as the second most important attribute in influencing treaters' perceptions of lumber value. Respondents considered the importance of the remaining lumber attributes in the following order: accuracy of grading, damage to lumber pack, and lumber straightness. A model to estimate the value of any combination of the attributes included in the study was developed. Simulation results suggest that treaters are willing to sacrifice $15.00 more per a thousand board feet for wane free lumber versus lumber with the maximum allowable wane. In the same fashion, respondents’ price sensitivity to other lumber attributes was determined. A service value utility function was developed based on the perceived value ratings. Price was the most important attribute in determining service value perceptions. Among all service attributes, lumber availability emerged as the most important. The second most important attribute in the determination of service value was reputation of the supplier. Respondents considered the supplier's ability to deliver lumber when promised as the third most important service attribute. The attributes, Supplier's ability to handle problems professionally and the ease with which supplier can be contacted by phone played a minor role in influencing service value. Based on the lumber value and service value analyses, lumber and service attributes were chosen for the final stage of data collection. Using a mail survey, perceived value ratings for hypothetical total products (lumber and service attributes) were obtained from the same respondents who provided data for the first stage of the analysis. Respondents in general, gave more importance to lumber quality than to service quality. Wane emerged as the most important attribute in influencing total product value. Price was considered to be the second most important attribute in the determination of perceived total product value. Respondents gave more importance to lumber availability than to reputation of the supplier while evaluating overall value. Accuracy of grading was considered to be the least important total product attribute. The results show that softwood lumber firms can differentiate themselves by providing wane free lumber and providing at least average service quality to their customers. The improved understanding of treaters’' needs and trade-offs should enable softwood lumber companies to plan the marketing strategies to achieve short- and long-term objectives while providing the most value to treaters. / Ph. D.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Green consumerism is on the increase, especially in developed countries. Green labels plays a key role in informing and assuring consumers about the environmental credibility of the products that they purchase. Within the global forestry industry green label certification schemes have also had a large impact. More than 80% of the 1.3 million hectares of plantations in South Africa are certified under the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) green label standard. A research survey was undertaken amongst growers, processors and retailers of timber products in South Africa to assess the current FSC domestic market situation. The survey indicated that although growers and processors support FSC certification, as a way of improving the quality of forestry in South Africa, they receive very limited market benefits for FSC certified products and do not market FSC products actively. Hardware retailers were found to be unaware of FSC certification. Reports from other developing countries indicate similar trends. This raises the question if it is worth marketing FSC products to domestic consumers? The marketing of FSC certified products might not yield direct financial gains but it can help to improve the image of forestry companies and the forestry industry in general. FSC certification can be used as a way of showing corporate social responsibility towards consumers and in raising the profile of the South African forestry industry. Based on the results from the research survey a number of recommendations can be made regarding the marketing of FSC as a green label certification system in South Africa. A marketing campaign for FSC certified timber products should ideally focus on the social benefits of buying high quality timber products. This marketing message should be targeted at individual and corporate consumers. Individual consumers could be educated about the benefits of buying green label products while corporate consumers could be encouraged to use and sell FSC certified products as part of their corporate social responsibility. The promotion of FSC certification could also be boosted if it can be included in activities related to the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The different role players in the domestic timber value chain can each playa role in marketing FSC certified products. These roles differ from creating a promotional push in the timber value chain by growers, processors and retailers to a promotional pull amongst consumers by the FSC, NGO's, certification bodies, industry representatives and government. A marketing campaign for FSC products should ideally be coordinated and driven by the South African FSC National Initiative / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Groen verbruikersdruk is aan die toeneem, veral in ontwikkelde lande. Groen etikette speel 'n sleutelrol in die verskaffing van inligting en 'n versekering aan verbruikers oor die omgewingsgeloofwaardigheid van die produkte wat hulle koop. Groen sertifiseringskemas het ook 'n groot impak op die globale bosbou-industrie gehad. Meer as 80% van die 1.3 miljoen hektaar plantasies in Suid Afrika is gesertifiseer volgens die "Forestry Stewardship Council" (FSC) groen etiket standaard. 'n Navorsingsopname is onderneem onder kwekers, verwerkers en kleinhandelaars van houtprodukte in Suid Afrika. Die doel was om die huidige binnelandse marksituasie van FSC gesertifiseerde houtprodukte te ontleed. Die opname het getoon dat, alhoewel kwekers en verwerkers FSC sertifisering ondersteun as 'n manier om bosbou se kwaliteit in Suid Afrika te verbeter, hulle baie min markvoordeel uit FSC gesertifiseerde produkte kry en dat hulle nie FSC produkte aktief bemark nie. Daar is bevind dat hardeware kleinhandelaars onbewus is van FSC sertifisering. Verslae vanaf ander ontwikkelende lande dui op soortgelyke tendense. Dit laat ontstaan die vraag of dit die moeite werd is om FSC produkte aan binnelandse verbruikers te bemark? Die bemarking van FSC gesertifiseerde produkte mag dalk nie direkte finansieHe voordele inhou nie, maar kan help om die beeld van bosboumaatskappye en die bosboubedryf in die algemeen te verbeter. FSC sertifisering kan gebruik word om korporatiewe sosiale verantwoordelikheid aan verbuikers te demonstreer en om die profiel van die Suid-Afrikaanse bosbou industrie te verbeter. 'n Aantal aanbevelings, gebaseer op die resultate van die navorsingsopname, kan gemaak word oor die bemarking van FSC as 'n groen etiket sertifiseringstelsel in Suid Afrika. 'n Bemarkingsveldtog vir FSC gesertifiseerde houtprodukte behoort te fokus op die sosiale voordele van die koop van hoe kwaliteit houtprodukte. Individuele en korporatiewe verbruikers behoort geteiken te word met die bemarkingsboodskap. Individuele verbruikers kan opgelei word in die voordele van die koop van groen etiket produkte, terwyl korporatiewe verbruikers aangemoedig kan word om FSC produkte te gebruik en te verkoop as deel van hulle korporatiewe sosiale verantwoordelikheid. Die promosie van FSC sertifisering kan ook aangehelp word deur dit in te sluit by aktiwiteite wat betrekking het op die 2010 Sokker Wereldbeker. Die verskillende rolspelers in die binnelandse hout waardeketting kan elk 'n rol speel in die bemarking van FSC gesertifiseerde produkte. Hierdie rolle kan wissel vanaf die skepping van 'n promosie stootkrag in die hout waardeketting deur kwekers, verwerkers en kleinhandelaars tot die skepping van 'n promosie trekkrag onder verbruikers deur die FSC, nie-regeringsorganisasies, industriele verteenwoordigers en die regering. 'n Bemarkinsgveldtog behoort deur die Suid-Afrikaanse FSC Nasionale Inisiatief gedryf en geko6rdineer te word

Large scale urban excavations since 1969 have yielded timber structures, within archaeological contexts of the 10th to 14th centuries, in the City of Dublin. Two oak chronologies have resulted from dendrochronological work in the area spanning A.D. 885 to 1306 and A.D. 1357 to 1556. These chronologies should allow the precise dating of oak timbers from subsequent excavations in the area and will form the basis of an eventual continuous Dublin chronology.