Informationstechnologie und Human Capital – Forst - und Holzwirtschaft vor dem nächsten Jahrtausend | Information Technology and Human Capital – Forestry and Wood-Processing Industry in Transition to the Next Millennium

Abstract

The newly grown international softwood timber markets require significant changes in the current wood supply chain from forest to woodworking industry. In future, the production of treelength or schematically cut logs, still most common in Central Europe and especially in Germany, has to be replaced by a more customized bucking. Moreover, traditional trading customs should be adapted to the related changes in the wood supply chain. Information technologies such as wireless communication, GIS/GPS applications or even the Internet can support and rationalize the production of roundwood e.g. in the fields of stand preparation, harvesting operation and logistics. They may further a common sense between forestry and woodworking industry. Nevertheless, the human capital is of outstanding importance for a successful implementation of modern harvesting systems. As the wood supply chain develops further, the working conditions also change and become challenging for all employees. However, the experience gathered so far would be sufficient to implement crucial changes within the presented wood supply chain immediately.