Objectives and motivations of small-scale forest owners; theoretical modelling and qualitative assessment

Abstract

Forest management changes with societal change, and it has been debated if economic development in society places material objectives in a less preferable position: it is assumed this is also the case as regards forest management. The aims of this study were to propose a theoretical model for empirical studies of objectives and motivations within this field and to depict motivations and objectives of small-scale forest owners in Sweden. Comparative literature studies were undertaken and qualitative methodology was used for the empirical studies. Firstly, to depict general trends among forest owners, interviews with professional foresters were conducted. Secondly, forest owners throughout Sweden were interviewed to compare the results of the interviews with the professional foresters on the motivations and objectives of small-scale forest owners. Within the literature, there were no consistent views on the subjective grounds for owning and managing small-scale forest estates. The proposed theoretical model originated from the cultural concept. Sets of interpretive and normative qualities were seen as underlying people's actions, and such sets were related to basic values. The 'objectives' were clustered into groups creating four clusters i.e. 'motivations'. The four motivations depicted were: Conservation; Utilities; Amenities and Economic Efficiency. The empirical results highlighted that the objectives and motivations of forest-owners covered a broad field and a move towards conservation interests was indicated. The theoretical model presented here is suggested a suitable tool for both depicting the motivations and objectives of forest owners and for making future comparisons.

Social Values of Forests and Production of New Goods and Services: The Views of Swedish Family Forest Owners

“…The results indicate a prevailing multifunctional view on forests among the respondents, a conclusion which is supported by the findings of other studies (Hugosson and Ingemarsson 2004;Ingemarsson et al 2006). Multifunctional forestry is emphasized by the respondents when they talk about management strategies, many stress the possibility of managing their forests in various ways, and quite a few claim they try to avoid clear-fellings at final harvests.…”

“…They also value the forest as a source of recreation, cultural heritage and biodiversity, and as a place to live. Our analyses thus indicate a definite multifunctional view of forests among the landowners (see also Hugosson and Ingemarsson 2004;Ingemarsson et al 2006). …”

New Forest Owners: Change and Continuity in the Characteristics of Swedish Non-industrial Private Forest Owners (NIPF Owners) 1990–2010

“…This is attributable to a rise of both the market price and the standing volume. Several policy and law changes from the late 1970s to the early 1990s resulted in a deregulation of the forest property market (Hugosson and Ingemarson 2004), and this is in all likelihood what led to the mounting price levels. A similar value development has also been noted concerning agricultural land (Swedish Board of Agriculture 2013).…”

Social capital in small-scale forestry: A local case study in Southern Sweden

“…recreational activities and carrying on with family and forestry traditions (Hugosson and Ingemarson, 2004;Kindstrand et al, 2008). Balancing that variety of objectives and interests with the industrial needs for raw material is a difficult task for FOAs (Lidestav and Arvidsson, 2012).…”

“…In Sweden, many investigations have been devoted to NIPF owners' objectives and decision-making (e.g. Hugosson and Ingemarson, 2004;Hysing and Olsson, 2005;Ingemarson et al, 2006). In contrast, relatively little research has been done on relationships between forest owners and other forestry stakeholders (Fischer et al, 2010).…”