The importance of social networks in the Norwegian firewood industry

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between social network size, innovation and firm performance among firewood producers in Norway. Moreover, it investigates how this relationship is affected both by the structure and variations in networks and by firm size and age. A questionnaire-based survey was sent to managers of firms (including one-person firms) in the firewood industry in Norway. A total of 645 usable replies were received, and the theoretical model was tested using structural equation modeling. The findings show that social network size has a positive effect on firm performance via innovation by firewood producers. Furthermore, the results show that firewood producers with fewer involved family members and more variation in occupation and entrepreneurial experience in their networks benefit more from larger social networks than other producers do.

Understanding instrumental motivations for social responsibility engagement in a micro‐firm context

“…Most innovation within this sector occurs incrementally and focuses on increasing production efficiency and reaching new markets (Nybakk et al . ).…”

“…Second, although it is reported that firewood firms may reap some CSR‐related benefits, these firms are generally very small, and their owners tend to have close relationships with the local forests, the surrounding community, and their workers, leading us to expect that they would have intrinsic motivations to care for these groups (Nybakk et al . ). Thus, we would expect that in this sector, CSR is driven by both instrumental and normative motivations.…”

Energy and moisture losses during poplar and black locust logwood storage

“…In industrialised countries, in fact, the widespread use of firewood is limited to only rural areas [3]. In Europe, chopped firewood is still used more than any other industrial energy wood product [4], especially in northern countries where its consumption covers between 20 and 25 % of the heating needs [5][6]. In southern Europe (France and Italy), firewood is used, but to a lesser extent than in the rest of Europe [7].…”

Efficiency of small-scale firewood processing operations in Southern Europe

“…None of the major bioenergy conferences held in Europe during the last decade have addressed the future of traditional firewood (Nybakk et al 2013).…”

“…The large productivity variation between existing systems is a good witness to the contrary (Lindroos 2008), while the high frequency of work accidents highlights the urgent need for further development (Lindroos et al 2008, Owen andHunter 1993). Firewood processing cost could be further reduced through improved technology and work techniques, thus making firewood production safer and more competitive than it currently is (Nybakk et al 2013). At present, all the few recent studies on firewood processing performance come from Nordic Europe (Lindroos 2008, Kärhä andJouhiaho 2009).…”