Abstract:In many countries, restrictions on the use of traditional preservative treatments have resulted in efforts to develop wood products for outdoor use that are durable, environmentally friendly, and appealing to consumers. In the present study, consumers' preferences for wooden deck materials were investigated using sensory analysis. The analysis included an analytical sensory profiling of five deck materials, conducted by a trained sensory panel, as well as a hedonic preference study conducted on Norwegian customers. Eighteen visual and tactile attributes were identified, and statistical analysis indicated that these attributes were sufficient to discriminate between the different deck materials. The results imply that consumers prefer deck materials with a homogeneous visual appearance and moderate color intensity. The study demonstrated a successful application of sensory research on wood products and implies that sensory analysis is an appropriate tool to study relationships between hedonic judgments and product characteristics. The study was carried out on wooden deck materials, but the results are probably also relevant for other wood products.Résumé : Dans plusieurs pays, les restrictions concernant l'utilisation des traitements traditionnels avec des préservatifs ont suscité des efforts pour développer des produits du bois destinés à être utilisés à l'extérieur qui sont durables, respectueux de l'environnement et attrayants pour les consommateurs. Dans cette recherche, nous avons étudié les préférences des consommateurs pour les matériaux de terrasse en bois à l'aide de l'analyse sensorielle. L'analyse incluait l'éta-blissement du profile sensoriel de cinq matériaux de terrasse, réalisé par un jury entraîné à cette fin, ainsi qu'une étude hé-donique de préférence réalisée par des consommateurs norvégiens. Dix-huit attributs visuels et tactiles étaient suffisants pour distinguer les différents matériaux de terrasse. Les résultats suggèrent que les consommateurs préfèrent les matériaux de terrasse qui ont une apparence visuelle homogène et une coloration de moyenne intensité. L'étude constitue une démon-stration de l'application réussie de la recherche sensorielle à des produits du bois et indique que l'analyse sensorielle est un outil approprié pour étudier la relation entre les jugements hédoniques et les caractéristiques d'un produit. L'étude a porté sur les matériaux de terrasse en bois mais les résultats sont probablement également pertinents pour d'autres produits du bois.[Traduit par la Rédaction]

To enhance competition in the construction industry, EU policies have created and harmonised functional building codes. Moreover, many actors advocate the construction industry moves towards a lean production, process-based way of working for quality and cost reasons. Here, TimberFramed Engineering approaches are considered to have a competitive and environmental advantage. There is however underlying concerns that conservatism in the construction industry, and lack of timber engineering skills, may be obstacles to change. This paper therefore assesses whether EU construction policy innovation contributed to innovation at the firm level.Timber framed innovators in six European countries were identified, and their sources of innovation assessed.

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New design strategies, focusing on implementing the psychologically beneficial effects of nature in the built environment, are increasingly being implemented in building design. The design of built settings is of particular importance in environments intended for healing, such as hospitals. Preferences for a setting are thought to be indicators of factors in the environment that can enhance health and well-being both for patients and those who care for them. The aim of this study is to investigate preferences for natural construction materials in patient rooms. An online survey was distributed to all employees in one department at a Norwegian hospital. Respondents (n = 93) included nurses and auxiliary nurses, physicians, and other hospital staff. In the survey, the employees were asked to evaluate 10 computer-manipulated pictures of patient rooms with different amounts and dispositions of wood on surfaces. The results indicate that employees prefer patient rooms with an intermediate degree of wood. The least liked room was the room with pine wood on all surfaces.

Production ef ciency in the Norwegian sawmilling sector was investigated by means of data envelopment analysis, using individual mill observations from the period 1974 -91. The resulting ef ciency scores were evaluated with respect to size using censored regression analysis and non-parametric comparison tests. Average ef ciency estimates indicated that the smallest mills (5 5000 m 3 yr ¼ 1 ) were less ef cient than large mills (lumber output \ 25 000 m 3 yr ¼ 1 ). During most of the period studied, average ef ciency estimates for the smallest mills were signi cantly lower than for larger mills.

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