Development of a forest-based bioeconomy in Finland: Insights on three value networks through expert views. (25th May 2021) - Korhonen, J.
Abstract: It is uncertain how the traditional forest sector can respond to the changing political environment, evolving markets, and global environmental problems. This study focuses on the development of forest-based bioeconomy (BE) in Finland from the perspective of three forest-based value networks (wooden multistory construction, fiber-based packaging, and biorefining) and thus breaks the tendency of siloed discussions. The study of expert opinions applies a collaborative interdisciplinary research method that combines group discussions and follow-up survey data. The results indicate that transformational regulation, proper incentives, and ways of increasing interaction at the business-consumer interface are required to support the creation of new practices and the destruction of old practices in the industry renewal. Highlights: The focus of the study is on the development of forest-based BE in Finland. The results call for more transformational regulation and proper incentives. A carbon tax is perceived as a prerequisite for the development of forest-based BE. More interaction at the business-consumer interface is needed. A collaborative interdisciplinary research method was applied in the analysis.