Social Influence in Forest Management Transitions: A Study of Private Forest Owners in Sweden

A transition toward climate adapted forest management requires an understanding of change processes. To uncover social influence in forest owners’ networks, this study examined the acquisition of information about alternative management methods (e.g., no clear-cuts) alongside how social interactions and beliefs are associated with subjective knowledge, normative beliefs, and willingness to adopt these methods. A survey was conducted in a random sample of Swedish private forest owners (n = 1763). Results revealed that the owners received little information about these methods. Receiving more information from personal, external and some professional forestry sources was associated with higher subjective knowledge. Whereas receiving more information from private companies was negatively associated with in particular normative beliefs, more information from, for example the government and external sources, was positively correlated with normative beliefs and willingness. The study recognizes the role of informational and normative influence, but also the owners’ beliefs, for a management transition.