Institutional Impact of Forestry on the Economy

The problems of the forest sector identified by many researchers are primarily related to the quality of institutions and the lack of effective institutional relations in the industry, according to the authors’ opinion. The results presented in the article, which prove the existence of a causal relationship between the qualitative characteristics of institutions and institutional relations and economic results, are shown for the first time in the case of the forest industry. In order to achieve the objective, the economic interrelations between forest industry entities are analyzed in the context of their institutional environment. It is revealed that the existing institutional structure of the industry supports the conflict of incentives between the owner (state) and the user (tenant) of forest land. The theoretical aspects of the specification of property rights, minimization of transaction costs and costs of contractual relations in the Russian forest industry to increase its economic efficiency are investigated. The transformation of Russian forest industry institutions should be based on the comparative advantages of existing institutions, economic models of successful forest management, objective institutional and economic indicators of sustainable growth, such as the specification of property rights and the minimization of specific transaction costs.

ANALYSIS OF THE SAFETY AND HEALTH STATUS AT THE WORK OF WORKERS OF THE FOREST INDUSTRY OF UKRAINE AND MEASURES FOR ITS IMPROVEMENT

Development of scientifically sound measures for the prevention of occupational injuries based on the analysis of data on occupational injuries, including fatal in the forestry sector of Ukraine, to identify the main causes of such injuries. Based on the analysis, it was established that the level of occupational injuries in the forest industry was in one of the first places among all sectors of the economy of Ukraine. A step-by-step decision-making process was used to develop an algorithm for making managerial decisions. It was found that the accidents occurred mainly due to violations of safety requirements by employees, lack of control by officials of forest enterprises over the organization of safe work and due to violations of the technological process. The study was based on actual statistics of the State Labor Service on occupational injuries in the forestry sector. It is stated that the situation around the enterprises of the forest industry cannot be radically corrected without the introduction of an effective labor protection management system with elements of assessment and management of industrial risks. The obtained theoretical conclusions, based on statistical data on occupational injuries, have been brought to the level of specific proposals suitable for practical use in the planning of preventive measures for labor protection in the field of forestry. The necessity of actualization and improvement of normative-legal acts in the field of forestry is substantiated. The adoption of the "Minimum requirements for the safety and health of workers in forestry and greenery" is justified, which will expand the scope, namely: legal relations will be regulated by the type of work, and not just apply to economic entities who carry out certain activities; it is proposed to introduce a "labor safety coordinator".

Economic, physical and psychological violence in Chile

This article argues that present day expansion of capital in Chile is based on the horrendous human rights violations that took place particularly after the 9/11/73 coup d’état. The coup in Chile demonstrates the owners of capital (national or international) have not and will not hesitate to use extreme violence to impose a model of development designed to meet capital needs: maximum profits. In the same manner that capital is indifferent to the consequences of the physical and psychological trauma it brings to humans, it is also indifferent to the environmental destruction it leaves in its path. This article illustrates how the system established by the dictatorship facilitates the exploitation of the labour force and the pillage of Chile's natural resources by national and multinational corporations, today. This also explains the increasing concentration of economic power and wealth in areas such as banking, insurance and the forest industry to name a few. In the case of the forest industry, the state subsidies to this sector, and the resistance of the Mapuche people, are noted. Most of the forest land is in Mapuche territory. The roots of the Mapuche struggle are the same to that of many indigenous peoples around the world: the defense of their territory and culture. As well, other social sectors in Chile are increasingly resisting capital attacks on their physical and social well being. For example, like the Mapuche, students, artisan fishermen are increasingly resisting capital. They are facing the same response from the current government.

A Systematic Review on Technologies and Industry 4.0 in the Forest Supply Chain: A Framework Identifying Challenges and Opportunities

Background: Forestry products and forestry organizations play an essential role in our lives and significantly contribute to the global economy. They are also being impacted by the rapid development of advanced technologies and Industry 4.0. More specifically, several technologies associated with Industry 4.0 have been identified for their potential to optimize traditional forest supply chains. However, to date, there has been limited research that has systematically investigated these technologies and the scientific evidence on their impact on forest supply chains. This research systematically reviews the state-of-the-art technologies applied in the forest supply chain and reports on the current (and/or potential) impacts of technologies on the transformation of the forest supply chain towards ‘Forest Industry 4.0′. Methods: The systematic literature review methodology identified 45 peer-reviewed studies for inclusion that are analyzed, interpreted and discussed in this paper. Results: This study developed a framework on the forest supply chain in Industry 4.0. This framework has three components related to forest supply chains: current supportive technologies, improvements and characteristics of the forest supply chain in Industry 4.0, and the strategic outcomes in economic, environmental and social dimensions. The reported impacts of technologies in different phases of the forest supply chain are interpreted and discussed. Conclusion: The study results confirm that most technologies in Industry 4.0 have real or perceived positive impacts on the forest supply chain and reported obstacles and challenges are identified. The results of this study also contribute insights on the wide range of options in terms of technologies available to decision-makers to optimize the forest supply chain towards ‘Forest Industry 4.0′.

Forest industry complex development in Russian Federation regions

The study found that the existing potential of the timber industry complex is not used effectively enough, as evidenced by the low level of wood processing, the development of only 50 % of the declared annual allowable cutting rate, insufficient use of modern technologies for processing wood raw materials, as well as reforestation. The consequence of this is the low share of the timber industry complex in the total volume of production in the regions. Based on the cluster method, the regions of the Russian Federation were grouped in 2010–2019 according to indicators reflecting the availability of resources (forest cover of the territory and the total stock of wood) and the level of their use (the share of the type of economic activity in the total volume of production in the region). The analysis carried out and the results obtained on this basis made it possible to identify the most successful practices for realizing the potential of the timber industry complex, as well as possible directions for the development of the forest industry in the regions of the Russian Federation.

Perceptions of Log Truck Weight Regulations Among Loggers and Forest Industry in Georgia, USA

Georgia and other southern states have far lower gross vehicle weight (GVW) limits for log trucks than other US regions and other countries. Low GVW limits result in high hauling costs and truck traffic. In 2020, including tolerances, five-axle log tractor-trailers were allowed 38,102 kg (84,000 lb) GVW in Georgia. Telephone surveys of 30 loggers and 32 forest industry representatives from the state of Georgia were conducted to measure perceptions of weight regulations and assess support for alternative weights and configurations. The four alternatives included five axles, 39,916 kg (88,000 lb); six axles, 41,277 kg (91,000 lb); six axles, 45,359 kg (100,000 lb); and seven axles, 45,359 kg (100,000 lb) GVW. The majority of loggers and forest industry representatives stated that GVW limits for log trucks were too low. The average preferred GVW limits were 39,621 kg (87,350 lb) and 40,545 kg (89,387 lb) for loggers and forest industry, respectively. Loggers and forest industry supported the five-axle 39,916 kg (88,000 lb) configuration whereas many loggers opposed both 45,359 kg (100,000 lb) configurations. Loggers, forest industry, and policymakers should work to modernize weight laws to reduce hauling costs, maintain or improve safety, and protect public infrastructure. Study Implications Increasing gross vehicle weight (GVW) limits in combination with adding axles to tractor-trailers has been demonstrated to reduce both timber transportation costs and damage to public roads. This study found that loggers and forest industry supported additional GVW but were hesitant to support configurations that would necessitate upgrading log truck fleets. If Georgia is to make its weight limits competitive regionally and internationally, it will be necessary to clearly communicate the benefits of heavier trucks with more axles to skeptical loggers.

Recycling of forestry waste

The article examines the current state of wood waste recycling in the interests of ensuring sustainable development and minimizing the impact on climate change. Classification of wood waste based on the stage of the life cycle of a wood product has been carried out. The problem of organization of wood waste disposal and processing is relevant both directly in the forest industry and in the process of using wood since this leads to the preservation of primary wood material and significantly reduces the volume of deforestation. During the study methods of wood waste recycling and options for complex recycling have been identified. A wood waste recycling scheme which includes such stages as collecting wood waste, deep wood processing and involvement in secondary circulation has been developed. An econometric analysis of correlation between current environmental costs and indicators of economic activity associated with the use of wood waste on innovative basis has been carried out. It has been concluded that there is a tight relationship between the costs of environmental protection and the selected factors. The research results can be used in the development of wood waste recycling schemes by various economic entities of timber and woodworking sectors.