Service logics of providers in the forestry service sector: Evidence from Finland and Sweden.

Abstract

Non-industrial private forest (NIPF) owners are the most significant ownership group in both Finland and Sweden. Meeting the industrial requirements for a stable roundwood supply has traditionally dominated the services targeted at them, but changes such as urbanization and a higher level of education have diversified the NIPF owners' service demands. Therefore, it seems that the traditional ‘roundwood supply approach' may no longer match the service needs of all customer groups. Based on the concept of service-dominant logic, the empirical objective is to better understand the challenges presented by the ongoingmarket renewal in Finnish and Swedish forestry services. Using a qualitative approach and data from 17 thematic expert interviews carried out within Swedish and Finnish forestry service organisations, we aimed to identify potential opportunities and barriers with respect to creating new services in NIPF owner markets. According to the results, concentrated markets dominated by a small number of players are challenging the surroundings for newenterprises to evolve in. The lack of dynamic middle-sized companies in the sector coupled with difficulties in adopting a more cooperative mindset is proving to be hindrances.

Published in

Forest Policy and Economics
2014, volume: 43, pages: 10-17

SLU Authors

• Mattila, Osmo

  • University of Helsinki

• Roos, Anders

  • Department of Forest Products, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

Forest

UKÄ Subject classification

Business Administration
Forest Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2014.03.003

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/53145