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Forest-Based and Related Industries of the European Union - Industrial Districts, Clusters and Agglomerations

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  • Hazley, Colin J.

Abstract

This book reveals the importance of the forest-based and related industries of the European Union, which is a large economic entity, providing widespread benefits to the whole of the EU. Combined, these industries provide direct employment for over 4 million people, have a turnover of 400 million Euro, and generate a value-added of some 160 billion Euro. These industries are widely distributed across the EU and provide employment both in urban and rural areas, whilst contributing 13% of the EU’s trade surplus. Despite the fact that most of the forest-based and related industries are classified as low-technology industries, tight interaction with specialised machinery and chemical suppliers, reveals that most of the R&D is conducted by the suppliers and thus technology is embodied in purchases of these inputs. Nonetheless, the forest-based and related industries have shown to be very competitive over long periods of time. In fact, most of the competitive elements are based on specialisation and localised learning and are especially located in industrial districts, clusters and agglomerations. In many cases, the sources of competitive advantage are derived from localised intangible resources, which are built-up over long periods of time and are not easily transferred or rebuilt. In revealing some of the forest-based and related industries’ strengths and weaknesses, in key products and industries, the book also highlights some threats posed by the expansion of the European Union to include its neighbours in Eastern Europe. Although EU forest-based and related industry exports have grown rapidly to Eastern Europe, the share of imports from the Eastern European countries and Russia has grown even faster, and now stands at 6.5 billion Euro, the second largest importer after North America. Expansion of these industries in some of the least regulated markets in Eastern Europe, also suggests that environmental problems are being encouraged to develop, unabated. Developments in Eastern Europe will clearly have an impact on the forest-based and related industries of the EU, hence a more detailed analysis of the situation using the cluster approach would seem the most appropriate way forward.

Suggested Citation

  • Hazley, Colin J., . "Forest-Based and Related Industries of the European Union - Industrial Districts, Clusters and Agglomerations," ETLA B, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy, number 160.
    • Handle: RePEc:rif:bbooks:160
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Haaland, J.I. & Kind, H.J. & knarvik, K.H.M. & Torstensson, J., 1998. "What Determines the Economic Geography of Europe?," Papers 19/98, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration-.
    2. Keith Smith & Karl Führer & Espen Dietrichs & Errko Autio, "undated". "Innovation Activities in Pulp, Paper and Paper Products in Europe," STEP Report series 199704, The STEP Group, Studies in technology, innovation and economic policy.
    3. Ojainmaa, Kaisa, . "International Competitive Advantage of the Finnish Chemical Forest Industry," ETLA C, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy, number 66.
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    Cited by:

    1. Karsten Rusche & Uwe Kies & Andreas Schulte, 2011. "Measuring spatial co-agglomeration patterns by extending ESDA techniques," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 31(1), pages 11-25, June.
    2. Calonius, Mathias, 2002. "Findings about Design and the Economy," Discussion Papers 785, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy.
    3. Joonas Jarvinen & Juha-Antti Lamberg & Johan-Peter Murmann & Jari Ojala, 2009. "Alternative Paths to Competitive Advantage: A Fuzzy-Set Analysis of the Origins of Large Firms," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(6), pages 545-574.
    4. Villaschi, Arlindo, 2002. "An Analytical Framework for Understanding the Finnish National System of Innovation," Discussion Papers 783, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy.

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