Using a mail questionnaire targeted at 500 softwood sawmills in the United States and Canada, firm innovativeness was assessed using three methods: (1) current technology, (2) self-evaluation, and (3) a new scale — the propensity to create and adopt scale. The results of these three methods were then compared to assess the performance of each method. Additionally, the relationship between firm innovativeness and financial performance was examined. Based on responses from 85 sawmills (19% adjusted response rate), the results show that both the self-evaluated and the propensity to create and adopt measures differentiate between mills with high and low levels of innovativeness. The composite of the propensity to create and adopt scale shows higher reliability (Chronbach’s α = 0.97) than the self-evaluated scale (Chronbach’s α = 0.68). Significant relationships between sawmill performance and each of the three measures of innovativeness were seen, with the propensity to create and adopt scale generally having the strongest positive relationships. Current technology was significantly related to sales growth, but not gross profit.

Buildings have been shown to have impacts on the environment. Consequently, green building rating systems have become a tool to help reduce these impacts. The objectives of this study were to identify gaps in information and access to green building materials as viewed by Oregon design professionals. The scope was limited to the major structural materials: concrete, steel, and wood. This article focuses on the results unique to wood products. Information was collected through group interviews. Each group was composed of professionals representing different aspects of material selection and construction of different scales. The results showed that structural material selection is driven by building code, cost, and building performance requirements. The environmental performance of the material was not considered. However, once the material was selected, designers tried to maximize environmental performance. The results showed that green building rating systems do not influence structural material selection, and interviewees noted that there is room for improvement in this area. Respondents had a positive view of wood and a strong desire to use more wood, particularly Forest Stewardship Council certified wood. Wood was viewed as the most sustainable structural material available. However, there were some concerns about wood products, with formaldehyde emissions being the most significant.

Innovativeness is a concept that has seen extensive study, yet there remain significant gaps in our understanding of the phenomenon. This is especially true when considering views of practitioners as well as specific industry sectors, such as the forest products industry. The qualitative work described here explores the concept of innovativeness from the perspective of forest industry managers. Managers consistently described five aspects of what it means to be an innovative company: (i) new, (ii) creating the “right” culture, (iii) managing the market–customer link, (iv) being a leader, and (v) a focus on the future. Similar to past research, managers identified new or improved products, processes, and business systems as areas within which a firm can be innovative. Results also outline challenges that firms face as they attempt to become innovative, how they would go about measuring innovativeness, and how they build innovative capacity. Based on these findings, we suggest that firms have significant opportunities to increase innovativeness and, thereby, enhance competitiveness.