NEW ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY FOR MANAGING THE FORESTS OF SOUTHEAST CHINA - THE SHARE-HOLDING INTEGRATED FORESTRY TENURE (SHIFT) SYSTEM

This study examines the factors influencing the adoption of a unique o rganizational innovation for local forest management in China. The sha re-holding integrated forestry tenure (or the SHIFT) system in Sanming prefecture of Fujian province, People's Republic of China, is based o n a system of benefit sharing and tenureship that provides both manage ment responsibility and economic incentive to local villagers. The ado ption of SHIFT has improved sustainability, productivity, equity, and flexibility in the face of changes caused by biophysical and human int ervention, and encouraged a more democratic rural life and more power of independent decision-making. It has also given a greater role to pr ofessional foresters and led to a more diversified set of management g oals. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.