Exports of U.S. Hardwood Products: Increasing Performance in Asia and Europe

The U.S. hardwood industry has traditionally depended on the domestic demand to sustain levels of production above 14 billion board feet per year. Because of the collapse of the U.S. housing market in 2009 and the economic recession that followed, the industry moved its sight to the international markets, as an opportunity to replace some lost demand, and pursue long term growth. Previous research on international marketing of hardwood products indicates that, there is a growing concern among U.S. companies to understand the main competitiveness factors in key markets such as Asia and Europe. Finding opportunities to add value to U.S. hardwood exports has been the goal of this research project. A case study and survey research were carried out among importers and exporters, whereby it was found that aspects related to price, quality and service, are critical in achieving competitive advantage. This motivated a study in demand and pricing management, which found that these tasks may be subject to innovation through optimization approaches.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forest Products

Department dc:contributor.department

Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Arias Blanco, Edgar

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Quesada, Henry Jose

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Cook, Deborah F.
• Kline, David E.
• Smith, Robert L.

• Hardwood Products
• Export Performance
• Competitiveness
• International Marketing
• Value Chain
• Value added
• Forest Products
• Revenue Management

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:3268

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/49693