CINTRAFOR

Working Paper Abstract

Analysis of 2x4 Technology Transfer to the Japanese Residential Housing Industry

Robert Y. Hashizume, Ivan L. Eastin. (66 pp)

Japan is the largest export destination for the US and the second largest export destination for Canada (after the US). The Japanese residential construction housing industry is the main driver of forest products exports to Japan. There were 1.4 million residential housing starts in Japan compared to 1.5 million starts in the US in 1997. Japan has roughly the same level of housing starts as the US but has only half the population on a land mass the size of California.

North American-style 2x4 housing has grown at double-digit rates over the past 10 years. In 1997, 2x4 houses commanded 13% of the wooden house market share and 6% market share of the overall housing industry. 2x4 housing starts are expected to grow further because of active promotion of imported housing by the Japanese government, deregulation of the industry, and increasing appreciation for western design by Japanese consumers.

2x4 home construction in Japan has been observed to be less efficient and accurate than in North America. The differences in construction techniques increase the cost and time of construction of the house, and decrease its overall quality. Various strategies are currently used by North American companies to provide technical assistance in 2x4 construction technology to Japanese construction industry professionals. This technical assistance allows Japanese professionals to be more aware of proper construction techniques to reduce costs and increase the overall quality.

This project was undertaken to identify the technology transfer strategies that North American companies use, which of them are most effective, and which parties should be the most important targets of technology transfer training programs. An understanding of the most effective technology transfer methods would allow various parties involved with exporting 2x4 houses to Japan to implement more successful training programs.

Survey of North American companies involved in the 2x4 housing industry in Japan

A census of all companies in the Pacific Northwest involved in North American-style 2x4 construction projects in Japan was conducted. A total of 270 companies based in the US (191 firms) and Canada (79 firms) were mailed a four page survey regarding their delivery of North American 2x4 construction technology transfer to Japanese construction industry professionals. The response rate for US and Canadian companies was 48% and 58%, respectively, with an overall response rate of 52%.

The results are published in the report: Analysis of 2x4 Technology Transfer to the Japanese Residential Housing Industry (CINTRAFOR WP74).

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