Abstract
This paper attempts to analyze the sustainability of the Asian wooden furniture industry. Despite booming exports, the furniture industry is besieged with stagnating productivity. The growth attributed to rising exports of low-value, contract furniture is not sustainable in the long-term as other cheaper manufacturers emerge. Industry liberalization coupled with the use of skilled workers, and not industrial policy, are the strategic elements for sustainability.
Zusammenfassung
In diesem Manuskript wird versucht, die Nachhaltigkeit der asiatischen Holzmöbel-Industrie zu analysieren. Trotz boomender Exporte ist die Möbelindustrie durch stagnierende Produktivität in Bedrängnis geraten. Das Wachstum ist einem Anstieg geringwertiger Exporte zu verdanken. Vertragsmobiliar ist auf lange Sicht nicht erhältlich, da andere billigere Hersteller auftauchen. Die strategischen Elemente zur Nachhaltigkeit der Holzmöbel-Industrie sind industrielle Liberalisierung, gekoppelt mit der Einstellung erfahrener Arbeiter und keinesfalls die Anwendung industrieller Taktiken.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Badanelli M (1997) Home Furniture Market in the USA. Xylon International November 24–28
Bennington RR (1985) Furniture Marketing. Fairchild Publication New York.
Desclores PM (2000) Markets for Secondary Processed Wood Products 1990–2000. Geneva Timber and Forest Discussion Papers United Nations Geneva
Hoff K, Fisher N, Miller S, Webb A (1997) Sources of competitiveness for secondary wood products firms: A review of literature and research issues. For Prod J 47(2):31–37
Kaplinsky R, Readman J (2000) Globalization and Upgrading What can (and cannot) be learnt from international trade statistics in the wood furniture sector? Discussion Paper United Nations International Trade Center Geneva
Lyon DE, Beall FC, Galligan WL (1995) The crisis in Wood Science and Technology education. For Prod J 41(5):23–28
Moss AM (1997) Training for tomorrow. Furniture Design & Manufacturing 69(13):116–117
Ozanne LK., Smith PM (1996) Consumer segments for environmentally marketed wooden household furniture. Wood and Fiber Science 28 (4):461–477
Porter ME (1984) Competitive Strategy Techniques for analyzing industries and competitors. Free Press New York
Porter ME (1990) The competitive advantage of nations. Free Press New York
Posledni E (1997) Solving the education crisis. Furniture Design & Manufacturing 69(3):154–159
Punches JW, Hansen EN, Bush RJ (1995) Productivity characteristics of the US wood cabinet industry. For Prod J 45(10):33–38
Ratnasingam J, Reid HF (1996) The productivity myth in furniture manufacturing. J of the Institute of Wood Science 14(2):102–106
Ratnasingam J, Reid HF, Perkins M (1997) Furniture Industry Regaining the competitive edge. J of the Institute of Wood Science 14(3):115–120
Ratnasingam J (2000) The Malaysian Wood industry at the Crossroads. Asian Timber 19(12):10–13
Ratnasingam J (2001a) The Race is On Competitive Strategies for the Asian Furniture Industry. FDM Asia 13(2):48–51
Ratnasingam J (2001b) Asian Furniture Fairs What's on sale? FDM Asia 13(3):31–35
Smith PM, West CD (1990) A cross-national investigation of competitive factors affecting the US wood furniture industry. For Prod J 40(11/12):3–48
Smith PM, West CD (1994) The globalization of furniture industries/markets. J of Global Market 7(3):103–131
Volpe A (1997) European Union: Furniture consumption distribution and opportunities. Xilon International July 34–39
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ratnasingam, J., Ioras, F. The sustainability of the Asian wooden furniture industry. Holz Roh Werkst 61, 233–237 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-003-0382-9
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-003-0382-9