Competition and collaboration in the Australian wood furniture industry : a value chain approach

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify specific areas for improving the global competitiveness of the Australian wood furniture industry (AWFI) and to examine the most promising mechanisms for collaborative industry value creation within the Australian wood furniture value chain (AWFVC). The research focuses on the drivers for and barriers to value creation in the AWFVC by building on industry and organisational studies in the Australian wood furniture industry, the global furniture sector, Australian forestry research and management, end-consumer value, and through established value chain methodology. This thesis investigates the consequences of adopting a value chain approach in the identification of drivers for, or barriers to sustainable competitive advantage in the Australian wood furniture industry. Based on the literature, a conceptual model is proposed which provides a framework for the review of wood furniture industry value chains in regard to identifying the processes which contribute value and those which do not optimise value creation for end-consumers in the AWFI. This model seeks to explore from a firm and inter-firm level the influence that end-consumer demand has on the Australian wood furniture value chain; it also examines those firm-level activities which combine to create value for the end-consumer and benefit the competitive advantage of the value chain as a whole.

Date of Award	2010
Original language	English