Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Subject: search.filters.subject.Lumber trade

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An examination of the relationship between firm size and export activity in the New Zealand lumber industry : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies, Massey University
    (Massey University, 1993) Craw, Michael Curtis
    This thesis explores the relationship between export activity and firm size, with specific reference to New Zealands lumber industry. The main purpose of this investigation is to identify firm characteristics which link firm size to export behavior. This task basically involves exploring the literature to identify possible linking variables and.conducting tests to determine whether or not these characteristics actually link export activity and firm size in New Zealand's lumber industry. · Two major areas of research were drawn upon to produce the hypotheses of this study: determinants of export activity and firm size-related variables in the lumber industry. The former body of literature is well-defined and very extensive. A great deal of empirical research has been done on firm-level export behavior (though unfortunately very little theoretical study has been done to link export behavior back to microeconomics. The second area of research is not very well­ defined. Inferences on the relationship between various characteristics and firm size are drawn from the literature on lumber production in New Zealand. These inferences are supplemented by scattered pieces of research on the linkage between firm size and firm characteristics, as well as by sensible guesses as to how certain characteristics are associated with firm size. Using these two areas of research, hypotheses were drawn as to how firm size and export activity are linked. Based upon these two areas of study then, nine characteristics were identified as possible links between firm size and export activity: proximity to a city, product quality, production cost, legal structure, foreign ownership, managerial experience and education, marketing skill, export­ related information, and managerial attitudes and ambition. It was decided to test these hypotheses by conducting a survey of New Zealand's lumber industry. This particular industry was selected because it was felt that a greater understanding of the export dynamics of this sector would assist policymakers in stimulating New Zealand's economy. In all, 26 lumber mills (out of 40 that were contacted) agreed to participate in the survey. On the whole, it was found that some characteristics do link firm size to export activity. Specifically, legal structure, managerial experience and education, and managerial attitudes and ambition were found to be significantly related to both export activity and firm size. These results suggest that firm size can be indirectly linked to export activity. However, researchers should be aware that the nature of this link could possibly vary with industry, place and time. Hence, using firm size as a predictor of export activity should be avoided until more research is conducted.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Modeling New Zealand's log's supply chain : a two-tiered modeling approach of logistical network resilience : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Supply Chain Management at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2017) Alaqqad, Mohammed Zuhair Hassan
    The global characteristic of today’s market raise concerns regarding the compatibility between the different nodes within a supply chain. Political, economic, infrastructural, cultural and other risks should be considered when operating globally. Tsunamis, strikes, hurricanes, bio-security threats and wars and their impact on the logistical networks are all examples of major events that might happen in a certain place and affect other supply chain members in other parts of the world. This type of events and their disastrous consequences show the importance of being ready and having a contingency plan for such events to minimize their effect on the companies’ supply chains The objective of this research is to provide the building bricks of a tool that functions as a decision support system to help practitioners in the log industry deciding their course of action spontaneously in response to sudden major events that might disrupt their supply chains. The resulting decision support system and recommendations of this research aim at improving the resilience of the log supply chain in New Zealand and the logistical network in general. Hopefully, the resulting DSS will be capable of producing recommendations that would increase the profitability of logs supply chain and make it more reliable and resilient under multiple disruption scenarios. The proposed decision-making approach and the suggested improvements in this research provide an in-depth insight for policy makers and practitioners operating in the logistical network in New Zealand. This research provides a solid analytical approach for decision makers to direct their investments in the corresponding part of the supply chain that they are operating in to make the biggest possible impact of their investment on the supply chain through put. The model can be employed to generate improvement recommendations for different regions and decision makers can prioritize the presented recommendations according to their strategic goals.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The New Zealand timber and flax trade, 1769-1840 : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1981) Wigglesworth, Roger Philip
    This thesis is an examination of the commercial, social and political dimensions of the New Zealand timber and flax trade 1769-1840. Chapters One to Three provide a chronological account of the trade. The level of activity was sporadic until 1827 after which time the trade expanded. The years 1769-1827 were a period of familiarization. The Europeans needed to experiment wit the New Zealand products, to test the market for them and to settle traders at New Zealand. The Maoris had to learn what Europeans required and to adjust to the demands of trading. Each group used these years to get to know the other and to establish the rapport required for the trade to function. Exports of wood and fibre from New Zealand increased rapidly after 1827 because the Europeans were prepared to invest in them and the Maoris were willing to produce enough timber and flax to sustain an export trade. During the 1830s the trade prospered only for as long as the markets for the products were buoyant and the Maoris were prepared to continue to assist with the production of them. Timber and flax trading could substantially affect the lives of those involved in it. Chapters Four and Five examine how traders adapted to the demands of the New Zealand physical and social environment and how Maoris faced changes in their work and settlement patterns, health, inter-tribal relations, and material culture. Chapter Six discusses the increasing interest by British and colonial governments in New Zealand affairs which was stimulated in large part by the timber and flax trade. For example the sent naval vessels and issued contracts to private firms to collect cargoes of these products. They also sought to regulate affairs in New Zealand (by passing Acts of Parliament, by sending naval vessels to cruise the coast and by appointing a British Resident) at least partly in order to provide an environment whic would be conducive to trading. The eventual British decision to annex New Zealand was strongly influenced by the pressure exerted on the government by those who were interested in trading with that country.