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

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  • Guillén, Luis Andrés
  • Wallin, Ida
  • Brukas, Vilis

Abstract

Small-scale forestry builds upon interactions among local stakeholders. Forest management entails multiple social situations such as consultations or cooperative engagements between owners and forest professionals. Successful social endeavours rest on positive social capital as operationalised via trust. Based on qualitative in-depth interviews with forest owners, managers and other forestry stakeholders, this study explores how trust influences the social relationships in a local context of Southern Swedish forestry. Most strikingly, the analysis reveals large differences in owners' trust towards two major actors: the Swedish Forest Agency (SFA) and the forest owner association (FOA) Södra. Permanence of personnel, a client-based approach, and personal features of SFA's local forest officer lead to strong local anchoring and high trust towards SFA. Södra proved to be a trustful partner in the aftermath of calamities; however its industrial priorities seem to erode owners' trust. The empirical findings of this study demonstrate the importance of recognising personal relationships and the catalysing role of bonding social capital in order to understand the local forest management situations. Our results are useful for forestry organisations and policy-makers willing to comprehend the local context and implement best practices in small-scale forestry.

Suggested Citation

  • Guillén, Luis Andrés & Wallin, Ida & Brukas, Vilis, 2015. "Social capital in small-scale forestry: A local case study in Southern Sweden," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 21-28.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:53:y:2015:i:c:p:21-28
    DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2014.12.006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    7. Aurenhammer, Peter K., 2017. "Forest land-use governance and change through Forest Owner Associations – Actors' roles and preferences in Bavaria," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(P1), pages 176-191.
    8. Syed Aflatun Kabir Hemel & Mohammad Kamrul Hasan & Md. Abdul Wadud & Rojina Akter & Nasima Akther Roshni & Md. Tariqul Islam & Afsana Yasmin & Keya Akter, 2022. "Improvement of Farmers’ Livelihood through Choi Jhal ( Piper chaba )-Based Agroforestry System: Instance from the Northern Region of Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-20, December.
    9. Górriz-Mifsud, Elena & Secco, Laura & Pisani, Elena, 2016. "Exploring the interlinkages between governance and social capital: A dynamic model for forestry," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 25-36.
    10. Lodin, Isak & Brukas, Vilis, 2021. "Ideal vs real forest management: Challenges in promoting production-oriented silvicultural ideals among small-scale forest owners in southern Sweden," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    11. Bauer, Tina & de Jong, Wil & Ingram, Verina & Arts, Bas & Pacheco, Pablo, 2022. "Thriving in turbulent times: Livelihood resilience and vulnerability assessment of Bolivian Indigenous forest households," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    12. Bjärstig, Therese & Kvastegård, Emma, 2016. "Forest social values in a Swedish rural context: The private forest owners' perspective," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 17-24.
    13. Murtazashvili, Ilia & Murtazashvili, Jennifer & Salahodjaev, Raufhon, 2019. "Trust and deforestation: A cross-country comparison," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 111-119.
    14. Lodin, Isak & Brukas, Vilis & Wallin, Ida, 2017. "Spruce or not? Contextual and attitudinal drivers behind the choice of tree species in southern Sweden," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 191-198.

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