The Role of the Private Sector in Forestry Research. Recent Developments in Industrialized Countries

Rome

1995

186 S.

zahlr. Lit. Ang.

Serie

13550

400094121

Forestry research initiated by private concerns is common in many regions of the world, although publicly supported research continues to dominate. Complementary research programmes (joint ventures) involving public and private organizations are becoming more common. Private investment in forestry can be expected when delay of payoff is short, investment risks are low and private entrepreneurs are well organized. These case-studies describe the relationship between the public and private sectors and forestry research in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The main conclusions which can be drawn from the case studies are as follows: - forestry research is conducted by numerous public and private sector organizations. The distinction between public and private research activities is becoming increasingly blurred; - consistent and reliable information that describes trends in forestry research generally is lacking. Such is especially so for privately-initiated forestry research; - forestry research is dominated by public investments, although such are declining in absolute terms. Private-sector investments in forestry research do not appear to be compensating for such declines; - public-private loint ventures in forestry research are an increasingly common means of conducting forestry research; - private investment in forestry research can be expected when delay of payoff is short, investment risks are low, and private entrepreneurs are well organized; - unique organizational qualities that might enable the private (or public) sector to more effectively address a particular forestry problem are not well understood. Establishment and growth of involve long periods of time. Public and private research investments focused on forestry problems must acknowledge this unique dimension of forestry activities. Failure to sustain forestry research investments (whether public or private) over long periods of time can inhibit long-term efforts to find solutions to fundamental forestry problems. Because private sector research must respond to uncertain (and often short-term) market incentives, complementary private and public forestry research programs that employ the positive qualities of each sector should be nurtured.