Micro-enterprises in the forest: A journey through the countryside of the post-industrial society

The paper starts out by discussing post-industrial work as it is viewed in the current sociology of work. This presentation forms the background for a discussion of the forms of work and organization to be found in small contracting enterprises in forestry in Germany. For this, firstly, the connection between decreasing employment in the state forestry administration and out-sourcing of forestry work as well as the history of forestry contracting are described. The second part focuses on characteristics of work and organization in small forestry contracting enterprises, based on qualitative interviews and discussed with the help of newer approaches from the sociology of work. Whereas on the one hand common characteristics between work in forestry contracting enterprises and post-industrial work can be observed, on the other hand many phenomena can reasonably be explained by reference to traditions of rural work in small family enterprises. In conclusion, the observed forms of work and organization can only be explained by combining the effects of global markets and rural traditions.