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This study explored these two questions: (1) How much carbon can be stored in the forest? and (2) Which forest management regimes best achieve the dual objectives of high sustained timber yield and high carbon sequestration? A model that can be used to predict carbon sequestration potential within a forest region assuming a given management strategy was developed. First, a carbon sequestration unit that accounts for both the amount of carbon stocked and the time during which it is stocked was introduced. This unit was used to integrate the carbon dimension in a Model-III formulation for forest management adapted from the description of models used by the Chief Forester who is responsible of determining the annual allowable cut in the different forest management units in Québec. The CBM-CFS3 model was used to simulate carbon dynamics of above- and belowground biomass and dead organic matter, including soils. Different management scenarios were developed using the data of an actual forest management unit in Quebec. Managing this forest for carbon maximization instead of letting grow naturally with no harvest or other treatment, would increase the carbon stocks by 1.89%, and only 25% of the carbon stock is estimated to occur in the aboveground live pool. Six scenarios aimed at achieving the dual objectives of high sustained timber yield and high carbon storage were also computed and compared.

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its drivers and capabilities, and even suggesting methodologies to develop agility. However, most of these efforts remain vague with respect to the characteristics and the expected contributions of the technologies involved or required. This paper proposes an agility reference model; a unifying conceptual representation of agility in terms of the necessary capabilities needed by every process involved in the enterprise seeking for agility. Agility is described using three capabilities which are believed to be the sources of competitive advantages; flexibility, responsiveness, and autonomy. It is shown that each capability addresses some specific issues and can only be thoroughly developed if the technologies used are characterized with some specific attributes or properties. The idea behind the proposed agility reference model was to derive a typology framework that emphasizes the taxonomy of the market interaction strategies for furniture products, and the competitive priorities that should be targeted by furniture enterprises aiming to be agile. Accordingly, the issues related to the different agility capabilities were discussed in the context of the furniture enterprise of the future. Then, the suitability of the proposed model for the derivation of the typology was explored based on case studies on two furniture manufacturing enterprises. The case studies analyze the context in terms of competitive priorities and customization strategies and investigate the agility properties of the technologies in use.

This paper presents the use of a conceptual framework designed for the management of organizational competences to contribute to the evolution of the business model of an enterprise. The framework, developed based on a detailed review of the history of the car manufacturer Toyota, was used for a Delphi study and an action-research applied in the furniture industry. The results suggest that it is applicable for ex-post analysis of organizational changes, as well as a strategy planning tool.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the agility of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in furniture enterprises, and explores the appropriateness of a typology framework that correlates the technology infrastructure of the enterprise with its manufacturing strategy. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses a clear and rigorous case study design and protocol. Empirical data are collected using structured surveys of two strategically selected furniture enterprises. The collected data are used to analyze the fit between the technology infrastructure of the enterprise and its strategic goals, and how this fit correlates with the theoretical categories stated by the typology. Findings – The case studies suggest that enterprise performance could be maximized if the competitive priorities and the customization strategy put in practice are in conformity with the available technology. Research limitations/implications – The findings of the case studies corroborate the all inclusive hypothesis suggested by the typology. The lack of triangulation of multiple data sources for more confidence about the results or the typology framework itself remains a limitation in this study. The two cases were representative to a certain extent of two out of the three theoretical ideal types stated by the typology. Practical implications – The explored typology can serve as a supporting tool for managers when making strategic investment decisions in their pursuit of a mass customization strategy within a specific market. Originality/value – The originality comes from the way the properties that should be displayed by the technologies used in furniture manufacturing enterprises to develop agility are drawn together.

This paper explores conceptually the overall implications, impacts and benefits resulting from setting up an integrated factory for the production of large and standardized solid wood panels as the prime raw material used by a highly automated solid wood furniture plant. The paper begins with an overview of the current value creation network of solid wood furniture from the forest to the customer. Then, a comprehensive assessment of potential opportunities for improvement leading to higher enterprise agility is conducted. The advanced technologies that can be introduced in the crucial processes are also reviewed. The expected gains in terms of agility are identified, and different hypothetical scenarios are discussed.

Cette communication propose un cadre conceptuel pour aider l'analyse de l'évolution d'une entreprise. Ce cadre est basé sur le concept de modèle d'affaires et la théorie des capacités organisationnelles.

This paper proposes a method to restructure the forest value chain using intermediaries when a wider range of forest values should be managed for several stakeholders. This method leads to the definition of the strategic vision of the intermediary, including its value proposition and its required competencies, assuming that actors in the value chain are prepared to revise their business approach to enable effective collaboration and knowledge sharing. The method is used to support management of public forests in the Province of Quebec, in Eastern Canada. Basically, the intermediary, referred to as the integrator-supplier (IS) in the application case, enables several stakeholders, including the government, the forest industry, regional authorities, recreation organizations, and First Nations, to cnmmunicate, to set compatible goals, and to synchronize their activities. These activities and interactions must all be effectively carried out to maximize the overall benefits of forest management. Three critical issues for successful development of the IS are identified. The results present functional descriptions of seven development scenarios for effective use of intermediation in forest value chains.

Forest products value chains (FPVC) are complex networks of units incorporating different goals and beliefs. These units need to work toCJ gether to generate the different elements of value. To study these value chains, a common representation and understanding of the different components of a value chain must be obtained. This will permit the evaluation of forest and industry strategies, supply chain configurations, and planning approaches using simulations. Agent-based modelling (ABM) is favoured to facilitate the assessment of different scenarios; however, information and knowledge sharing (IKS) in a collaborative modelling context remains an issue. This paper discusses the need for collaborative modelling and simulation of the FPVC and surveys the literature about the most significant standardization initiatives for IKS and ABM platforms, with focus on the FPVC. Then the key findings are explained, and a road map leading to defining a standard for value chain modelling is proposed.

There is an extensive amount of research literature about the concept of agility, describing its drivers and capabilities, and even suggesting methodologies to develop agility. However, most of these efforts remain vague with respect to the characteristics and the expected contributions of the technologies involved or required. This paper proposes an agility reference model; a unifying conceptual representation of agility in terms of the necessary capabilities needed by every process involved in the enterprise seeking for agility. Agility is described using three capabilities which are believed to be the sources of competitive advantages; flexibility, responsiveness, and autonomy. It is shown that each capability addresses some specific issues and can only be thoroughly developed if the technologies used are characterized with some specific attributes or properties. The idea behind the proposed agility reference model was to derive a typology framework that emphasizes the taxonomy of the market interaction strategies for furniture products, and the competitive priorities that should be targeted by furniture enterprises aiming to be agile. Accordingly, the issues related to the different agility capabilities were discussed in the context of the furniture enterprise of the future. Then, the suitability of the proposed model for the derivation of the typology was explored based on case studies on two furniture manufacturing enterprises. The case studies analyze the context in terms of competitive priorities and customization strategies and investigate the agility properties of the technologies in use.

In the province of Québec, the government provides 25% of the volume of timber that is annually cut in crown forests through sealed-bid one-winner auctions. It was noted that many offers are made for some areas but few or none are made for many other areas. As such, a significant number of the timber volumes remains unsold. However, the combination of areas to form bundles can provide economy of scale that is not seen otherwise. We highlight some issues regarding the current allocation system and we analyse the effectiveness of different bundling systems in maximizing government revenues and enhancing bidders' competitiveness. We use actual forest data to evaluate different rules and strategies for the creation and allocation of partial and full bundles. Our results suggest that the use of the option of bundling forests areas makes the auction process more beneficial to the majority of stakeholders: Government revenues are increased; the bidding companies are more likely to obtain the desired volumes and pay less for harvesting and equipment relocation; and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.

Strategic forest management planning models designed to maintain existing carbon stocks and maximize capacity for future sequestration can help identify underused opportunities to increase carbon stocks without diminishing other forest products. This study proposed a carbon stock unit that allows summing up the stocks in the different forest pools even if the decomposition far exceeds the planning horizon. This unit is used to integrate the methods and algorithms from the Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3) model into a wood supply model. The resulting model could be used to predict changes in carbon stocks, transfers between carbon pools, and greenhouse gas emissions that would result from every forest management activity. We tailored this model to meet different strategies: maximizing carbon storage in the forest, maximizing high-sustained timber yield, and achieving the dual objectives of yield and carbon storage. A range of management scenarios were simulated using the data of a 485,000 hectares mixed-wood forest in Quebec, Canada. Our results demonstrate that, with the reduction in the harvest rates, the increase in the ecosystem carbon storage is insufficient to offset the carbon losses associated with the increase in the harvest rates. Study Implications: In this article, we adopt the perspective of forest managers who contend that removing lumber from the forest can be achieved in a responsible way or in a way that does not affect the carbon stocks in the forest in the long term. We propose a model that integrates methods and algorithms from the CBM-CFS3 model to simulate carbon dynamics of aboveground and belowground biomass and dead organic matter, including soils. The model can be used to predict carbon storage potential within a forest region assuming a given management strategy. We used data of a large forest area to develop a number of sophisticated scenarios of strategic forest planning. Our results are consistent with the for

The traditional approach to plan the forest products value chain using a combination of sequential and hierarchical planning phases leads to suboptimal solutions. We present an integrated planning model to support forest planning on the long term with anticipation of the impacts on the economic and logistic activities in the forest value chain on a shorter term, and we propose a novel optimization approach that includes acceleration strategies to efficiently solve large-scale practical instances of this integrated planning problem. Our model extends and binds the models implemented in two solver engines that have developed in previous work. The first system, called Logilab, allows for defining and solving value chain optimization problems. The second system, called Silvilab, allows for generating and solving strategic problems. We revisit the tactical model in Logilab and we extend the strategic model in Silvilab so that the integrated planning problem can be solved using column generation decomposition with the subproblems formulated as hypergraphs and solved using a dynamic programing algorithm. Also, a new set of spatial sustainability constraints is considered in this model. Based on numerical experiments on large-scale industrial cases, the integrated approach resulted in up to 13% profit increase in comparison with the non-integrated approach. In addition, the proposed approach compares advantageously with a standard LP column generation approach to the integrated forest planning problem, both in CPU time (with an average 2.4 factor speed-up) and in memory requirement (with an average reduction by a factor of 20).

This paper describes the Wood Supply Game (WSG), a prize-winning e-learning tool that is freely available for players all over the world. The game effectively helps students and managers realize the challenges in managing demand and supply in wood supply chains, and gain insight into the types of measures required to make these divergent chains effective. The WSG is an adaptation of the Beer game, a popular didactic tool used to empirically demonstrate demand amplification in a simple and generic context. The supply chain modeled by the Beer game does not involve co-products, and thus is very different from the wood supply chain, which is divergent by nature. The WSG presented in this paper models a supply network with one point of divergence and demand for two products. This preserves the simplicity of the game but enables it to offer a base for supply network simulation in a large number of industrial sectors with divergent processes. We describe an online version of the WSG, discuss our experiences playing it with students and managers, and provide hints to the instructor.

Strategic forest management planning models designed to maintain existing carbon stocks and maximize capacity for future sequestration can help identify underused opportunities to increase carbon stocks without diminishing other forest products. This study proposed a carbon stock unit that allows summing up the stocks in the different forest pools even if the decomposition far exceeds the planning horizon. This unit is used to integrate the methods and algorithms from the Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM-CFS3) model into a wood supply model. The resulting model could be used to predict changes in carbon stocks, transfers between carbon pools, and greenhouse gas emissions that would result from every forest management activity. We tailored this model to meet different strategies: maximizing carbon storage in the forest, maximizing high-sustained timber yield, and achieving the dual objectives of yield and carbon storage. A range of management scenarios were simulated using the data of a 485,000 hectares mixed-wood forest in Quebec, Canada. Our results demonstrate that, with the reduction in the harvest rates, the increase in the ecosystem carbon storage is insufficient to offset the carbon losses associated with the increase in the harvest rates. Study Implications: In this article, we adopt the perspective of forest managers who contend that removing lumber from the forest can be achieved in a responsible way or in a way that does not affect the carbon stocks in the forest in the long term. We propose a model that integrates methods and algorithms from the CBM-CFS3 model to simulate carbon dynamics of aboveground and belowground biomass and dead organic matter, including soils. The model can be used to predict carbon storage potential within a forest region assuming a given management strategy. We used data of a large forest area to develop a number of sophisticated scenarios of strategic forest planning. Our results are consistent with the for

This paper proposes a method to restructure the forest value chain using intermediaries when a wider range of forest values should be managed for several stakeholders. This method leads to the definition of the strategic vision of the intermediary, including its value proposition and its required competencies, assuming that actors in the value chain are prepared to revise their business approach to enable effective collaboration and knowledge sharing. The method is used to support management of public forests in the Province of Quebec, in Eastern Canada. Basically, the intermediary, referred to as the integrator-supplier (IS) in the application case, enables several stakeholders, including the government, the forest industry, regional authorities, recreation organizations, and First Nations, to cnmmunicate, to set compatible goals, and to synchronize their activities. These activities and interactions must all be effectively carried out to maximize the overall benefits of forest management. Three critical issues for successful development of the IS are identified. The results present functional descriptions of seven development scenarios for effective use of intermediation in forest value chains.

This paper describes the Wood Supply Game (WSG), a prize-winning e-learning tool that is freely available for players all over the world. The game effectively helps students and managers realize the challenges in managing demand and supply in wood supply chains, and gain insight into the types of measures required to make these divergent chains effective. The WSG is an adaptation of the Beer game, a popular didactic tool used to empirically demonstrate demand amplification in a simple and generic context. The supply chain modeled by the Beer game does not involve co-products, and thus is very different from the wood supply chain, which is divergent by nature. The WSG presented in this paper models a supply network with one point of divergence and demand for two products. This preserves the simplicity of the game but enables it to offer a base for supply network simulation in a large number of industrial sectors with divergent processes. We describe an online version of the WSG, discuss our experiences playing it with students and managers, and provide hints to the instructor.

The traditional approach to plan the forest products value chain using a combination of sequential and hierarchical planning phases leads to suboptimal solutions. We present an integrated planning model to support forest planning on the long term with anticipation of the impacts on the economic and logistic activities in the forest value chain on a shorter term, and we propose a novel optimization approach that includes acceleration strategies to efficiently solve large-scale practical instances of this integrated planning problem. Our model extends and binds the models implemented in two solver engines that have developed in previous work. The first system, called Logilab, allows for defining and solving value chain optimization problems. The second system, called Silvilab, allows for generating and solving strategic problems. We revisit the tactical model in Logilab and we extend the strategic model in Silvilab so that the integrated planning problem can be solved using column generation decomposition with the subproblems formulated as hypergraphs and solved using a dynamic programing algorithm. Also, a new set of spatial sustainability constraints is considered in this model. Based on numerical experiments on large-scale industrial cases, the integrated approach resulted in up to 13% profit increase in comparison with the non-integrated approach. In addition, the proposed approach compares advantageously with a standard LP column generation approach to the integrated forest planning problem, both in CPU time (with an average 2.4 factor speed-up) and in memory requirement (with an average reduction by a factor of 20).

This study explored these two questions: (1) How much carbon can be stored in the forest? and (2) Which forest management regimes best achieve the dual objectives of high sustained timber yield and high carbon sequestration? A model that can be used to predict carbon sequestration potential within a forest region assuming a given management strategy was developed. First, a carbon sequestration unit that accounts for both the amount of carbon stocked and the time during which it is stocked was introduced. This unit was used to integrate the carbon dimension in a Model-III formulation for forest management adapted from the description of models used by the Chief Forester who is responsible of determining the annual allowable cut in the different forest management units in Québec. The CBM-CFS3 model was used to simulate carbon dynamics of above- and belowground biomass and dead organic matter, including soils. Different management scenarios were developed using the data of an actual forest management unit in Quebec. Managing this forest for carbon maximization instead of letting grow naturally with no harvest or other treatment, would increase the carbon stocks by 1.89%, and only 25% of the carbon stock is estimated to occur in the aboveground live pool. Six scenarios aimed at achieving the dual objectives of high sustained timber yield and high carbon storage were also computed and compared.

Forest products value chains (FPVC) are complex networks of units incorporating different goals and beliefs. These units need to work toCJ gether to generate the different elements of value. To study these value chains, a common representation and understanding of the different components of a value chain must be obtained. This will permit the evaluation of forest and industry strategies, supply chain configurations, and planning approaches using simulations. Agent-based modelling (ABM) is favoured to facilitate the assessment of different scenarios; however, information and knowledge sharing (IKS) in a collaborative modelling context remains an issue. This paper discusses the need for collaborative modelling and simulation of the FPVC and surveys the literature about the most significant standardization initiatives for IKS and ABM platforms, with focus on the FPVC. Then the key findings are explained, and a road map leading to defining a standard for value chain modelling is proposed.

This paper presents the use of a conceptual framework designed for the management of organizational competences to contribute to the evolution of the business model of an enterprise. The framework, developed based on a detailed review of the history of the car manufacturer Toyota, was used for a Delphi study and an action-research applied in the furniture industry. The results suggest that it is applicable for ex-post analysis of organizational changes, as well as a strategy planning tool.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the agility of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) in furniture enterprises, and explores the appropriateness of a typology framework that correlates the technology infrastructure of the enterprise with its manufacturing strategy. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses a clear and rigorous case study design and protocol. Empirical data are collected using structured surveys of two strategically selected furniture enterprises. The collected data are used to analyze the fit between the technology infrastructure of the enterprise and its strategic goals, and how this fit correlates with the theoretical categories stated by the typology. Findings – The case studies suggest that enterprise performance could be maximized if the competitive priorities and the customization strategy put in practice are in conformity with the available technology. Research limitations/implications – The findings of the case studies corroborate the all inclusive hypothesis suggested by the typology. The lack of triangulation of multiple data sources for more confidence about the results or the typology framework itself remains a limitation in this study. The two cases were representative to a certain extent of two out of the three theoretical ideal types stated by the typology. Practical implications – The explored typology can serve as a supporting tool for managers when making strategic investment decisions in their pursuit of a mass customization strategy within a specific market. Originality/value – The originality comes from the way the properties that should be displayed by the technologies used in furniture manufacturing enterprises to develop agility are drawn together.

Cette communication propose un cadre conceptuel pour aider l'analyse de l'évolution d'une entreprise. Ce cadre est basé sur le concept de modèle d'affaires et la théorie des capacités organisationnelles.

its drivers and capabilities, and even suggesting methodologies to develop agility. However, most of these efforts remain vague with respect to the characteristics and the expected contributions of the technologies involved or required. This paper proposes an agility reference model; a unifying conceptual representation of agility in terms of the necessary capabilities needed by every process involved in the enterprise seeking for agility. Agility is described using three capabilities which are believed to be the sources of competitive advantages; flexibility, responsiveness, and autonomy. It is shown that each capability addresses some specific issues and can only be thoroughly developed if the technologies used are characterized with some specific attributes or properties. The idea behind the proposed agility reference model was to derive a typology framework that emphasizes the taxonomy of the market interaction strategies for furniture products, and the competitive priorities that should be targeted by furniture enterprises aiming to be agile. Accordingly, the issues related to the different agility capabilities were discussed in the context of the furniture enterprise of the future. Then, the suitability of the proposed model for the derivation of the typology was explored based on case studies on two furniture manufacturing enterprises. The case studies analyze the context in terms of competitive priorities and customization strategies and investigate the agility properties of the technologies in use.

This paper explores conceptually the overall implications, impacts and benefits resulting from setting up an integrated factory for the production of large and standardized solid wood panels as the prime raw material used by a highly automated solid wood furniture plant. The paper begins with an overview of the current value creation network of solid wood furniture from the forest to the customer. Then, a comprehensive assessment of potential opportunities for improvement leading to higher enterprise agility is conducted. The advanced technologies that can be introduced in the crucial processes are also reviewed. The expected gains in terms of agility are identified, and different hypothetical scenarios are discussed.

There is an extensive amount of research literature about the concept of agility, describing its drivers and capabilities, and even suggesting methodologies to develop agility. However, most of these efforts remain vague with respect to the characteristics and the expected contributions of the technologies involved or required. This paper proposes an agility reference model; a unifying conceptual representation of agility in terms of the necessary capabilities needed by every process involved in the enterprise seeking for agility. Agility is described using three capabilities which are believed to be the sources of competitive advantages; flexibility, responsiveness, and autonomy. It is shown that each capability addresses some specific issues and can only be thoroughly developed if the technologies used are characterized with some specific attributes or properties. The idea behind the proposed agility reference model was to derive a typology framework that emphasizes the taxonomy of the market interaction strategies for furniture products, and the competitive priorities that should be targeted by furniture enterprises aiming to be agile. Accordingly, the issues related to the different agility capabilities were discussed in the context of the furniture enterprise of the future. Then, the suitability of the proposed model for the derivation of the typology was explored based on case studies on two furniture manufacturing enterprises. The case studies analyze the context in terms of competitive priorities and customization strategies and investigate the agility properties of the technologies in use.