The effects of regulatory regimes on management of endangered species by three forest product companies

This thesis examines the effects of endangered species regulatory regimes on three of the largest forest products companies in the world: International Paper, Weyerhaeuser, and Stora-Enso. The hypothesis that national and international laws and regulations provide the basis for these corporations to adopt and employ endangered species policies, management strategies, and on-the-ground management activities in their timber operations nationally and internationally is tested.; All three corporations have adopted endangered species policies, management strategies, and on-the-ground management activities above and beyond what is required by national and international laws. The corporations were ranked and compared on a scale of 1–3, 1 being the relatively most intensive treatment of endangered species under four different research questions. Weyerhaeuser ranked highest with an average score of 1.25. Stora-Enso ranked second with an average score of 2.25 and International Paper ranked slightly lower with an average score of 2.33.; This study also compared national culture as a possible influence on corporate responsiveness. On a scale of 1–4 (1 greatest effect), the cultural variables ranked and compared are most prevalent in Finland (Average Rank 1.79) and Sweden (Average Rank 2.21). The data reveal few differences between the United States (Overall Rank 2.85) and Canada (Overall Rank 3.14). Thus, the data and ranked results indicate that if indeed culture effects corporate treatment of endangered species, Stora-Enso will be effected to a greater degree by the analyzed cultural variables than International Paper and Weyerhaeuser in national operations.