Deborah DeLong, M.Sc. (2005)

Dissertation Title and Abstract:

Benchmarking the Canadian Value-Added Wood Products Sector: Competitive Factors that Contribute to its Success.

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the secondary wood manufacturing sector across Canada. Strengthening and facilitating the secondary wood manufacturing or value-added sector is seen as the next step to creating a more sustainable economy across Canada. This research considered all secondary wood manufacturers across Canada and has provided standardized information for the entire sector as a benchmark. In order to evaluate the competitive position of the Canadian secondary wood manufacturers, two steps were undertaken. First, factors that have determined success in other sectors were identified. Secondly, the sector's current business environments and their emphasis on the factors that contribute to success were evaluated. The majority of businesses in this sector are small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and have common concerns that effect SMEs. Problems obtaining financing for expansion, market research, expanding to new markets, and upgrading employees' skills are examples. There is also opportunity for increasing efficiencies through lean manufacturing and optimizing supply chains. These types of initiatives will require education and training. Logistic regression analysis found that being a member of an industry association greatly increased the probability of a business being profitable. Industry associations are likely an effective conduit for the required training and education.

Related Publications and Conference Presentations:

DeLong, D.L., R.A. Kozak and D.H. Cohen (2007). Overview of the Canadian Value-Added Wood Products Sector and the Competitive Factors that Contribute to its Success. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 37(11):2211-2226.

DeLong, D.L., D.H. Cohen and R.A. Kozak (2006). Benchmarking the Canadian Value-Added Wood Products Sector: Competitive Factors that Contribute to its Success. Forest Products Society 60th International Convention: Forest Products Marketing Session (Session 4), Newport Beach, California, June 2006.

Cohen, D.H., D.L. DeLong and R.A. Kozak (2006). Key Success Factors for the Value-Added Sector in BC. Joint Symposium of the BC Forum on Forest Economics and Policy and the Forest Products Association of Canada, A Wealth of Opportunities: Value Focused Forestry in British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, March 2006.

Cohen, D.H., D. DeLong and R.A. Kozak (2005). Can Canada be a Global Competitor in the Secondary Wood Manufacturing Sector? A Current Assessment of the Canadian Secondary Wood Products Sector in a Global Context. Prepared for the Canadian Forest Service. 46 pp.

DeLong, D., D.H. Cohen and R.A. Kozak (2005). The Canadian Secondary Wood Products Sector: Competitive Success Factors and Current Status. Prepared for the Canadian Forest Service. 45 pp.

DeLong, D.L., W. Spetic, D.H. Cohen and R.A. Kozak (2004). Benchmarking Canadian Secondary Wood Products Manufacturers: A Work in Progress. Manufacturing Competitiveness of the Forest Products Industry: Competing in Today's Global Manufacturing and Consumer Marketplace (sponsored by the Forest Products Society), November 2004, New Orleans, Louisiana. Poster.