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Resource sustainability in commodity systems: the sawmill industry in the Northern Forest

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  • Andrew Jones
  • Don Seville
  • Donella Meadows

Abstract

Many natural resource‐based commodity systems exhibit a trio of undesirable behaviors—price instability, resource unsustainability, and inequity among people along the commodity chain. In this article we share findings from a modeling project that focuses primarily on the second problem, unsustainability, in the forest products economy and forest ecosystem of the Northeastern United States. The model shows the structural potential for lumber industry capacity to overshoot the timber resource of the regional forest. Many of the policies commonly advocated in response to resource shortage, such as boosting mill efficiencies and eliminating log exports, appear unlikely to solve the problem. We identify several policies with the potential to help sustain both the industry and resource base. We also share insights on how to design a modeling and intervention process when addressing policy problems for which no single organization has direct responsibility. Finally, we consider ways to navigate through three prevalent “defensive routines”—denial, resignation, and despair—that are often barriers to constructive discussion on how to address potential limits to growth. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Jones & Don Seville & Donella Meadows, 2002. "Resource sustainability in commodity systems: the sawmill industry in the Northern Forest," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 18(2), pages 171-204, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:sysdyn:v:18:y:2002:i:2:p:171-204
    DOI: 10.1002/sdr.238
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John D. Sterman & Linda Booth Sweeney, 2002. "Cloudy skies: assessing public understanding of global warming," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 18(2), pages 207-240, June.
    2. Thomas S. Fiddaman, 2002. "Exploring policy options with a behavioral climate–economy model," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 18(2), pages 243-267, June.
    3. Sterman, John & Booth Sweeney, Linda, 2002. "Cloudy Skies: Assessing Public Understanding of Global Warming," Working papers 4361-02, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management.
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    Cited by:

    1. T-S Jan & C-T Hsiao, 2004. "A four-role model of the automotive industry development in developing countries: a case in Taiwan," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 55(11), pages 1145-1155, November.
    2. Muflikh, Yanti Nuraeni & Smith, Carl & Aziz, Ammar Abdul, 2021. "A systematic review of the contribution of system dynamics to value chain analysis in agricultural development," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    3. Pirard, Romain & Irland, Lloyd C., 2007. "Missing links between timber scarcity and industrial overcapacity: Lessons from the Indonesian Pulp and Paper expansion," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 9(8), pages 1056-1070, May.
    4. Dennis Meadows, 2002. "Dana Meadows: asking hard questions, speaking simple truths," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 18(2), pages 111-119, June.

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