Maija Hujala

The role of information and communication technologies in paper consumption

Conventionally, paper demand is modelled by using only gross domestic product and the price of paper as explanatory variables. However, one factor affecting the demand of printing and writing papers is presumably the diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICT). In this paper, the regression analysis model and large global scale panel data sets from 1990-2007 are used to analyse the effect of ICT on paper demand for three paper grades: newsprint, office paper and magazine paper. Results show that the internet is a substitute for newsprint and possibly for magazine paper and mobile telephones are complementary and a growing number of personal computers increase office paper consumption.

Emerging market patterns in the recycled paper trade

The international recovered paper trade serves two important functions: increasing raw material availability in the paper and board industry and providing economic incentives to recycle. The purpose of this paper is to shed further light on emerging patterns in this trade by empirically analysing the changes in the bilateral trade flows of recycled paper between 1992 and 2008. According to our estimations, two important changes occurred in the 1990s and 2000s. First, the growing importance of developing economies in global recycled paper trade plays a significant role in import demand as a determinant of trade flows. Second, the changes in global trade patterns necessitate investigating the transportation cost measures used in applied research.

Forecasting long‐term paper demand in emerging markets

Purpose – Typically, the graphic paper demand is being forecasted with the development of GDP, population and the price of paper. Recently, diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICT) has been identified as one possible driver of its consumption. It could be assumed that in emerging markets paper demand is a combination of these classical and new factors.Design/methodology/approach – The research examines the situation in the emerging Russian market with panel data regression analysis, accompanied with system dynamics simulation using Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis. So, the paper integrates different quantitative approaches to sketch long‐term paper demand forecasts through different alternative scenarios.Findings – Results show that mobile telephones are complementary to both newsprint and magazine paper demand and the internet is a substitute, but these two factors are still relatively small compared to the effect of GDP per capita.Research limitations/implications – This research is...

Structural changes and effects of R&D investments in the pulp and paper industry

This study examines the strategic investment choices made in pulp and paper industry (PPI) within the last two decades. We first describe investments, initiated projects, and closures of pulp and paper mills and profitability of the 22 largest pulp and paper companies in North America, Western Europe and Japan. We then examine the development and impact of R&D investments by comparing the timing of R&D investments with changes in profitability. The results indicate that the relationship between R&D and profitability is company specific. Our findings indicate further that the logic of R&D investment differs across firms; in some companies, changes in profits cause changes in the R&D investment level, whereas in others the opposite holds. It also seems that the sample companies have not actively sought new market opportunities through innovation activity, but rather by geographical re-location of production.

Paper mill's distribution efficiency to emerging East European markets

Purpose – European paper industry has been struggling with margins and profitability for more than decade time period. At typical in markets of west, paper product demand is at long-term decline, mostly driven by continuously increasing internet use. However, in emerging markets demand still exists, and in Europe numerous small markets in east have even some growth available. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The authors analyse in this research work with longitudinal data (period of 2002-2009) from one large Finnish paper mill and data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach, how distribution efficiency to selected eight East European markets has evolved. Findings – In general distribution efficiency has improved, but this has taken place in step-wise manner rather than being linear year-to-year development (year 2006 found to be the threshold). Reason is mostly in better management of transportation costs, and in particular lower monthly deviation of these costs. It is su...

Trend breaks in Finnish inventory intensities: a small open economy perspective

In this paper, we analyse econometrically the Finnish inventory to value added ratios (i.e., inventory intensities) within manufacturing and two subcategories, the wood and paper industry and manufacture of electrical products. The focus is on the period 1980–2009. In addition to revealing the statistically significant break points in the inventory intensity, we estimate the numbers, timings and magnitudes of the structural breaks. After determining the break points, we connect them to transaction, buffering and speculative motives for holding inventories. The properties of the break points observed suggest that the motives continue to play a role in modern small open economies and, therefore, they can be utilised by managers when trying to forecast the behaviour of inventories.

Audibility of wind turbine noise indoors: Evidence from mixed-method data

The sound of wind turbines occasionally causes annoyance among residents living nearby. A high sound pressure level fa an obvious reason for annoyance. However, there seems to be other explanations for annoyance, since annoyance and sound pressure level are not always fully correlated. In this study, the audibility of wind turbine noise and the factors affecting it are examined by using data collected from two residential areas near operating wind farms. The aims are to develop methods of analyzing the factors affecting the audibility of wind turbine noise and to analyze and compare the impacts of sound pressure levels, as well as wind characteristics and amplitude modulation on the audibility. The results reveal that combining self-reported annoyance levels with measurements of wind and sound characteristics makes it possible to gather versatile information about the audibility of wind turbine sound indoors and the annoyance caused by it. The results show that the sound pressure level is an important factor in the audibility of wind turbine noise, and wind characteristics seem to have some impact on it as well.

The acceptability of wind farms: the impact of public participation

ABSTRACT The planning process for wind farm projects appears to be a complicated matter in many cases. Despite the positive attitude towards wind power in general, local wind farm projects often face strong opposition. The aim of this study is to shed more light on residents’ perceptions of participation in the planning process of wind farms. This study is based on interview data (N = 22) and survey data (N = 291) collected from residents living near two Finnish large-scale onshore wind farms built about 1.5 years before the data were collected. The results indicate that residents’ participation in the planning process was rather passive and the vast majority of the respondents perceived that they did not have an opportunity to participate. Quite interestingly, perceived participation in the planning process resulted in a decrease in acceptability in terms of perceived well-being. Furthermore, the results indicate that the need for participation does not expire after the planning process for a wind farm has concluded. Thus, project developers should be prepared to continue communication with residents after the planning phase.