Community-company relationships in forest-dependent communities in northern BC: Assessing the local, sectoral, and theoretical implications.

Perceptions of access to industrial forest land by Port Alberni recreational stakeholders.

“…However, although the effects of forest industry restructuring on dependent communities has been well documented in BC (e.g. Barnes & Hayter 1994;Barnes et al 1999;Hayter 2003;Martin 2013), little empirical research has focused on impacts to outdoor recreationalists. There has also been little research examining outdoor recreational access to private industrial forest land of the sort now surrounding Port Alberni.…”

“…Community members were discouraged from active decision making and from pursuing economic diversification (Barnes et al 1999). Company paternalism also manifested in forestry company efforts to develop community spirit through participation in community events (Martin 2013), "goodwill contributions" (Hayter & Barnes 1997, pp. 26), or sponsorship of community initiatives such as recreational trail building (Albemi Valley Times 1973).…”

“…Operating within increasingly formal structures, short-term managers were chosen for their ability to maintain company profitability rather than their skills at maintaining company-community relationships (Beckley & Reimer 1999;Martin 2013). Since these relationships are no longer required by government, there was less motivation for the company and its managers to maintain informal community relationships which provided no tangible gains (Barnes et al 1999;Beckley & Reimer 1999;Nelson et al 2006).…”

“…Since these relationships are no longer required by government, there was less motivation for the company and its managers to maintain informal community relationships which provided no tangible gains (Barnes et al 1999;Beckley & Reimer 1999;Nelson et al 2006). In addition, decision making power held by managers less willing to bend the rules in support of local interests led to increases in decisions made without community input or support (Martin 2013). Combined with the use o f outside contractors without significant community investment, the result has been a "disjuncture between company and community perspectives on their responsibilities and obligations to each other" (Martin 2013, pp.…”

“…Citing challenging economic circumstances and need for increased efficiency to compete on a global marketplace, forestry companies increasingly eschew community obligations beyond providing employment. Even so, the approach to community-company relationships during the Fordist era of the mid twentieth century has created the expectation in many communities that companies will support the social well-being of the community (Clayton 2009;Martin 2013). Since forestry companies have a significant presence in many communities, some community members still expect companies to provide other community benefits such as sponsoring community events and infrastructure (Martin 2013).…”