Technological Transformation in the Global Pulp and Paper Industry : Introduction

Abstract

At a high level of abstraction, the evolution of any industry is a function of changes in product market demand, availability and supply of capital, knowledge and technology, the surrounding institutional framework and organisational solutions. New technological innovations emerge because of changes in product market demand or institutional framework that encourage entrepreneurs and firms to take advantage of new business opportunities. This contributed volume provides illustrative, well documented case studies of technological transformation in the global pulp and paper industry from the inception of mechanical papermaking in early nineteenth century Europe until its recent developments in today’s business environment with rapidly changing market dynamics and consumer behaviour. The study focuses on the roles of various factors that affected this process, including the availability and supply of inputs on the one hand, and demand characteristics on the other hand, within regional, national and transnational organisational frameworks. It deals with the relationships between technology transfer, technology leadership, raw material dependence, and product variety on a global scale. The introductory chapter outlines the research setting, and briefly summarises the research questions posed, methods used and the case studies analysed.