Organizing non-wood forest product collectors in Serbia: A fuzzy logic assessment of expected benefit

Collectors of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) play a key role as primary participants in the supply chain, yet they are often weakly organized. Their ability to respond independently to market challenges is therefore limited. For this reason, fostering collective action and developing formal structures, such as associations, is essential. These organizations can provide technical and logistical support, facilitate knowledge exchange, and represent their members? interests. This study aims to assess the level of benefits that NWFP collectors associate with membership in producer organizations and to analyze how these perceptions vary depending on their willingness to engage in collective structures. To better capture the nuances of individual attitudes, a fuzzy logic approach was applied. Unlike traditional binary models (e.g., yes/no responses), fuzzy logic allows expectations to be expressed as degrees of membership within categories (e.g., low, medium, high), offering a more flexible analytical framework. A Mamdani-type fuzzy inference system was developed using three input variables: expected support in obtaining collection permits, assistance with applications for subsidies and grants, and access to information about NWFP-related regulations and procedures. Based on defined decision rules, a fuzzy index of perceived support was calculated. The findings indicate that NWFP collectors in Serbia generally have low to moderate expectations regarding the analyzed benefits of joining an association. Moreover, expected benefits are not perceived as isolated elements but as interconnected and complementary. Respondents who anticipate one form of support (e.g., information) are typically likely to expect others (e.g., help with administrative procedures). Importantly, those with higher expectations of support are more inclined to express willingness to join an organization, suggesting that perceived support is a key driver of motivation for collective action and a positive attitude toward association. However, the results also reveal that many collectors still do not fully recognize the range of opportunities and advantages that organized membership can offer.