Title: Pulp and paper industry in traditional and new markets - a fuzzy input-output analysis

Authors: Maija Hujala; Pasi Luukka; Heli Arminen; Kaisu Puumalainen; Jorma K. Mattila

Addresses: School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland ' School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland ' School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland ' School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland ' School of Business, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland

Abstract: The global business environment of the pulp and paper industry (PPI) has changed drastically during past decades. This paper focuses on analysing the linkages between PPI and other industries in Brazil, Finland, and the USA. We identified the most important inter-industry linkages and analysed possible differences between countries, and over time. We also predicted Finland's input-output structure using fuzzy linear models. The results suggest that there are distinct differences across countries and also over time. It seems that the global changes in pulp and paper markets have changed the purchase 'recipe' of PPI in all of the countries investigated. Fuzzy input-output analysis was found to be a useful forecast method, although further research is needed prior to any generalisations.

Keywords: input output analysis; fuzzy linear systems; pulp and paper industry; PPI; fuzzy logic; traditional markets; new markets; global businesses; international companies; Brazil; Finland; USA; United States; inter industry linkages; national differences; fuzzy modelling; linear modelling; global changes; changing markets; forecasting.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2014.064970

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2014 Vol.7 No.6, pp.639 - 660

Published online: 11 Oct 2014 *

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