Revisiting Forest Certification in Sri Lanka: The Forest Management and Export Wood-Based Manufacturing Sector Perspectives
There are discussions and debates surrounding forest certification in developing countries. In this study, we surveyed 50 forest-based companies in Sri Lanka (43 wood-based manufacturers and 7 plantation companies) to ascertain their participation in forest certification, current and future forest c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/2/179 |
| _version_ | 1797480312317411328 |
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| author | Priyan Perera Rajitha Lakshan Rupasinghe Devin Weerasekera Richard Vlosky Rangika Bandara |
| author_facet | Priyan Perera Rajitha Lakshan Rupasinghe Devin Weerasekera Richard Vlosky Rangika Bandara |
| author_sort | Priyan Perera |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There are discussions and debates surrounding forest certification in developing countries. In this study, we surveyed 50 forest-based companies in Sri Lanka (43 wood-based manufacturers and 7 plantation companies) to ascertain their participation in forest certification, current and future forest certification trends, as well as their satisfaction with the performance of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification in its economic, environmental, and social aspects, using an importance–performance analysis (IPA). Study results indicate that certified companies typically focus on exports and supplying raw materials for value-added exporters. The customer demand/signaling mechanism appears to be the primary driver of FSC certification in Sri Lanka. Forest certification was found to be helpful for companies to access new markets, keep market share, and sell products in existing markets. Results further indicate that price premiums for FSC-certified products exist, though they may not always be significant. However, certification positively influences sales volume and reduces business risks via securing continuous orders from the buyers. The IPA results further indicate that FSC certification has substantially improved company images by positioning certified companies as socially responsible businesses, while helping to create better business stakeholder relationships. FSC certification was found to have weak links in improving on-the-ground environmental performances of certified companies. Study findings have implications for the FSC certification scheme and independent certifiers, enabling them to identify the areas of FSC certification with significant performance gaps. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:58:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ebad97e8fc3b4448994fbc33ae66c2d3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:58:10Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-ebad97e8fc3b4448994fbc33ae66c2d32023-11-23T19:55:28ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072022-01-0113217910.3390/f13020179Revisiting Forest Certification in Sri Lanka: The Forest Management and Export Wood-Based Manufacturing Sector PerspectivesPriyan Perera0Rajitha Lakshan Rupasinghe1Devin Weerasekera2Richard Vlosky3Rangika Bandara4Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo 10250, Sri LankaTimber Process Innovation Center, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo 10250, Sri LankaCenter for Sustainability, Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda 10250, Sri LankaLouisiana Forest Products Development Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USADepartment of Zoology & Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya, Colombo 11300, Sri LankaThere are discussions and debates surrounding forest certification in developing countries. In this study, we surveyed 50 forest-based companies in Sri Lanka (43 wood-based manufacturers and 7 plantation companies) to ascertain their participation in forest certification, current and future forest certification trends, as well as their satisfaction with the performance of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification in its economic, environmental, and social aspects, using an importance–performance analysis (IPA). Study results indicate that certified companies typically focus on exports and supplying raw materials for value-added exporters. The customer demand/signaling mechanism appears to be the primary driver of FSC certification in Sri Lanka. Forest certification was found to be helpful for companies to access new markets, keep market share, and sell products in existing markets. Results further indicate that price premiums for FSC-certified products exist, though they may not always be significant. However, certification positively influences sales volume and reduces business risks via securing continuous orders from the buyers. The IPA results further indicate that FSC certification has substantially improved company images by positioning certified companies as socially responsible businesses, while helping to create better business stakeholder relationships. FSC certification was found to have weak links in improving on-the-ground environmental performances of certified companies. Study findings have implications for the FSC certification scheme and independent certifiers, enabling them to identify the areas of FSC certification with significant performance gaps.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/2/179Forest Stewardship Councilimportance–performance analysiswood products manufacturerseconomic benefitsenvironmental performancesocial benefits |
| spellingShingle | Priyan Perera Rajitha Lakshan Rupasinghe Devin Weerasekera Richard Vlosky Rangika Bandara Revisiting Forest Certification in Sri Lanka: The Forest Management and Export Wood-Based Manufacturing Sector Perspectives Forests Forest Stewardship Council importance–performance analysis wood products manufacturers economic benefits environmental performance social benefits |
| title | Revisiting Forest Certification in Sri Lanka: The Forest Management and Export Wood-Based Manufacturing Sector Perspectives |
| title_full | Revisiting Forest Certification in Sri Lanka: The Forest Management and Export Wood-Based Manufacturing Sector Perspectives |
| title_fullStr | Revisiting Forest Certification in Sri Lanka: The Forest Management and Export Wood-Based Manufacturing Sector Perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Revisiting Forest Certification in Sri Lanka: The Forest Management and Export Wood-Based Manufacturing Sector Perspectives |
| title_short | Revisiting Forest Certification in Sri Lanka: The Forest Management and Export Wood-Based Manufacturing Sector Perspectives |
| title_sort | revisiting forest certification in sri lanka the forest management and export wood based manufacturing sector perspectives |
| topic | Forest Stewardship Council importance–performance analysis wood products manufacturers economic benefits environmental performance social benefits |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/2/179 |
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