Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries

Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries

Analysis of Governance Modes and Resilience Assessment of Nature-Based Enterprises within the Framework of Sustainable Forest Management

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Golbarg Bakhshesh 1
Mehdi Ghorbani 2
Meghdad Jourgholami 3
Leila Avazpour 4
1 Department of Natural Resources Policy, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
2 Department of Arid and Mountainous Regions Reclamation, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
3 Department of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
4 Department of Agricultural, Water and Energy Governance, Faculty of Governance, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/ijwp.2026.2079967.1747
Abstract
Problem definition and objectives:
The resilience of socio–ecological systems is fundamentally important for the sustainability of natural resources and local livelihoods. In the Zagros forests, nature-based enterprises—particularly those relying on the utilization of timber and non-timber forest products—play a pivotal role in the rural household economy. Weaknesses in governance or infrastructure can undermine the resilience of these enterprises and render the wood value chain fragile. The aim of this study is to assess the resilience status of businesses dependent on timber and non-timber products in the Zagros region and to analyze the governance modes of the socio–ecological system within the framework of the “Sustainable Management of Zagros Forests” plan. Specifically, the research seeks to determine the extent to which resilience principles are realized in Nature-Based Enterprises Based on Timber and Non-Timber Forest Products, to identify strong and weak dimensions, and to examine the role of three governance models—hierarchical, network, and market—in managing the utilization and processing of timber and non-timber products.
Methodology:
To evaluate the resilience of enterprises based on timber and non-timber products, an analytical framework was designed around eight key resilience principles: diversity, redundancy, participation, learning, polycentric governance, connectivity, management of slow variables and feedbacks, and complex adaptive systems thinking. Each principle was disaggregated into five dimensions—social, economic, human, infrastructural, and environmental—to ensure comprehensive coverage of resilience aspects. For assessment, a scoring scale ranging from zero to five was defined, where zero indicated the complete absence of an indicator in the plan and five represented its full realization. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire consisting of 40 items (eight principles × five dimensions), completed independently by experts using the panel method to minimize bias and enhance the validity of judgments. In the governance section, three modes—hierarchical, network, and market—were examined across ten key functions, including policymaking, legislation, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilization, leadership, knowledge production, legitimacy, and representation.
Results:
The analysis revealed that the principle of diversity, with a score of 18.7 out of 25, demonstrated the highest level of resilience, with the environmental dimension achieving the maximum score (5). This reflects the diversity of timber and non-timber species in the Zagros forests that support local livelihoods. In contrast, the principle of redundancy, with a score of 14.3, showed the lowest level of resilience, indicating weaknesses in establishing alternative resources and supportive infrastructure for the wood value chain. The principles of learning and complex adaptive systems thinking exhibited favorable conditions in the environmental and human dimensions, yet serious deficiencies were observed in the economic and infrastructural domains—particularly in the processing and marketing of timber and non-timber products. In terms of governance evaluation, the hierarchical mode was dominant, playing the most significant role in functions such as policymaking and legislation. Network governance was present only in certain areas, such as knowledge production and social legitimacy, while market governance was nearly absent, with its average score reported at approximately 1. These findings demonstrate that weaknesses in the economic and infrastructural dimensions of resilience are directly linked to the absence of market governance and the limited role of network participation in the wood value chain.
Conclusion:
This study shows that resilience among nature-based enterprises in the Zagros region is uneven: ecological and social capacities are relatively strong, while economic and infrastructural aspects of the timber value chain require significant reinforcement. Sustainable use of timber and non-timber products can underpin economic and social resilience if supported by ecological management, infrastructure development, and market linkages. Hierarchical governance has constrained participatory and market-oriented mechanisms; thus, a gradual transition toward network governance is needed. This approach integrates local community participation, ecosystem service valuation, and sustainable resource use. Practical strategies include establishing local cooperatives, developing regional markets for products such as pistachio resin and acorn seeds, forming joint management councils, and drawing lessons from international cases like the Maya Biosphere Reserve. These measures can strengthen value chains and transform the Zagros forests into a sustainable, flexible, and adaptive system capable of withstanding climatic and economic changes.
Keywords
Nature-based enterprises
Zagros forests
document analysis
social&‌ndash
ecological system resilience
Timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs)
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Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Industries
Volume 16, Issue 4
Winter 2026
Pages 619-641