According to the above objectives, the following research questions were posed:
1. How important is fur industry for the region of Kastoria?
2. In which ways fur industry is supported in Greece?
3. Which is the current situation of fur industry?
4. The fur industry is ready to adopt new methods and products?
The significance of the research conducted in the context of this dissertation is great, as fur industry is facing some serious problems over the past two decades. First, of all during the last decade an economic crisis affected any kind of industry all over the world.
Consumers have less money to spend in order to buy a product that is expensive, although it is necessary in cold climates, such as Russia. On the other hand, natural fur products are luxurious products, and for that reason people are trying to find a cheaper solution.
On the other hand there is a large competition, especially from China, where wages are much smaller than in Greece or EU. There are also many synthetic products, not as good but much cheaper. Finally, during the past two decades there are some intense reaction of ecologist, who are protesting again the slaughtering of animals for their fur.
All, these different reasons have affected the status of fur industry in Greece, which is mostly located in the regions of Kastoria and Siatista. As for Kastoria, fur industry has been an financial pillar for decades. A large part of the people in Kastoria are employed, directly or indirectly, in fur industry. That means that a whole region depends on the future of the fur industry. The conclusions presented below is expected to provide an useful knowledge regarding the beliefs of people occupied in fur industry in the city of Kastoria.
Additionally, the conclusions of this research ia expected to help stakeholders to make decisions regarding the future of fur industry in Kastoria, and probably the future of a whole city.
Regarding the first research question
“How important is fur industry for the region of Kastoria?”
The statistical analysis of the data, as well as the analysis of the interviews of the representatives of the region, businessmen and employees, showed without a doubt that the fur industry has been important for the Kastoria area for decades on many levels. The industry is responsible for the wine development of the region, while the fur products have made the city known all over the world. Large investments have been made in the industry, which for many years has employed and still employs thousands of workers with the result of reducing the phenomenon of immigration which has been experienced by many parts in the country. Even in the current situation where the industry is in a prolonged crisis, it is estimated that it provides, directly or indirectly, income to about 6.000 people.
The fame of the city as fur fair attracts a lot of people and tourists, although there is an opinion that the separatist occupation with fur did not help to develop tourism as apart from the fur industry, even though the region of Kastoria has natural beauty. In recent years there has been a shift towards the tourism sector as well as the agricultural sector, as developments in the fur industry are of great concern to people about what the future will hold. Despite what the industry has experienced, it remains the most important economic activity in the region.
Compared with the situation five years ago, current situation is clearly worse. This difference is bigger compared with the situation ten or twenty years ago. This means that the sector is experiencing a continuous crisis, which has led to the closure of many relevant companies in the region, as well as rising unemployment. The uncertainty that now exists in the area leads very few young people to engage in fur industry, with the result being the workforce has become very aged. In addition, most young people choose to leave the area, especially those with a high level of education.
As for the second research question
“In which ways fur industry is supported in Greece?”
From the literature review and research it was found that fur products are one of the main export products of the country. However, both entrepreneurs and business workers do not
seem to be very satisfied with the State's support for the industry. The Region's representative stressed that the state is supporting the industry as much as it can, because they saw is a target for many, such as environmentalists who oppose the exploitation of animals for their fur, but also because of strong competition from markets such as China.
The solution seems to be certification which does not currently exist in order for the product to become more competitive in international markets.
As for the third research question
“Which is the current situation of fur industry?”
as mentioned above is much worse than in the past. Many businesses were affected by a number of factors but the financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and especially the scenes with the killing of many minks due to the infection. The latest incident has intensified the reactions of environmentalists, who for many years have been opposed to killing animals for their fur. It is worth noting the representative of the Region of Western Macedonia, who pointed out that the image of the killing of hundreds of animals in Denmark, which is one of the largest producers of fur, affected the industry, but on the other hand the prices of raw materials increased due to shortage. All of these factors have led the industry into a prolonged crisis, which many companies have been unable to manage but have since closed down, which has led to rising unemployment. Many have been forced to change jobs or even residences in order to survive. Most of the workers that are still in fur industry are aged and do the job mostly empirically and without technological know-how.
As for the fourth research question
“The fur industry is ready to adopt new methods and products?”
The view of the participants in the research is that the industry should adapt to the new situation, but not necessarily if the raw material changes from natural fur to synthetic. This prospect does not seem to be sustainable as the change is huge and requires a lot of resources while it may also affect unemployment as many will remain unemployed having no object of work in the new situation. In addition, it was pointed out that the argument that synthetic fur is more ecological is not valid as we are talking about an oil derivative. It was also pointed out that the buyers of fur products would not easily turn to a new material as the fur is the one that meets their needs.
From the answers of the participants to a relevant question, it seemed that such a change would affect the industry, but even the economy of the region. Asked whether the ban on the sale of fur products in the European Union would affect the industry, the interviews showed that this would affect the industry, but not to a large extent, as most of the products are exported to countries other than the European Union. The representative of fur managers pointed out the need for certification of the product, something that has not been done yet. The industry should also work harder to promote the product as well as find ways, through high quality products, in order to compete with cheap products from markets such as China and Turkey.
The research found that the industry is not considered sustainable due to the many problems that is facing. The possibility of changing the raw material does not seem to satisfy any of those involved. However the industry should consider what could change the situation in order to preserve the product and become competitive.
References
Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2008). The Methodology of Educational Research. Athens: Metaichmio.
Dagkalidis, A. (2012). Industry study 17: Fur industry.Athens: Piraeus Bank.
Eurogroup4Animals, (2015). Overview over national legislation on fur farming in Europe.
Βrusells: Eurogroup.
Hadjimichalis, C. & Arteliaris P. (2016). Development / Crisis, locality and human resources in the local production system of Kastoria, in Spatial Development and Human Resources. Athens: L. Lamprianidis.
Pouliopoulos, L. (1994). Historical evolution of fur industry and the role of Kastoria.
Kastoria: Kastoriani Estia Publication
Pouliopoulos, L. (2009). The historical economic and social dimension of corporate social responsibility - The case of the furs sector. Proceeding of the International Conference of Applied Economics – ICOAE 2009.
Creswell, J.W. (2011). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. Los Angeles:
SAGE Publications.
Internet sources www.kastorialeather.gr www.statistics.gr www.eurostat.eu
www.kastoriachamber.gr/
www.furs.gr/elliniki_gouna_istoria.ht
Appendix A: Questionaire
A. Demographics 1 1. Gender
Male
Female
2. Age
Up 30 years old
31-40 years old
41-50 years old
51 ears and older 3. Level of education
Junior High school graduate Senior High school graduate University Graduate Postgraduate/Doctorate 4. Professional position in the industry
Employee
Business owner
5. Years of involvement with the industry
Up to 5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16-20 years
Over 25 years
B. Importance of the industry for the region
6. To what degree is it believed that the industry has contributed to the development of the region?
Not at all Small degree
Medium degree
Large degree
Very large degree
7. To what degree do you think the economy of the region depends on the industry?
Not at all Small degree
Medium degree
Large degree
Very large degree
8. To what degree do you think the industry contributes to the reputation of the area?
9. To what degree do you believe that the industry contributes to the tourism development of the region?
10. To what degree do you think the industry contributes to investments in the region?
C. The current situation
11. If you compare the current situation of the industry with the one that existed five years ago, you would characterize it as:
Much worse Worse Same Better Much better
Not at all Small degree
Medium degree
Large degree
Very large degree
Not at all Small degree
Medium degree
Large degree
Very large degree
Not at all Small degree
Medium degree
Large degree
Very large degree
I do not know
12. If you compare the current situation of the industry with the one that existed ten years ago, you would characterize it as:
Much worse Worse Same Better Much better I do not know
13. If you compare the current state of the industry with that which existed twenty years ago, you would characterize it as:
Much worse Worse Same Better Much better I do not know
14. Note the degree to which the following factors have influenced the industry
15. Note the degree to which the following agents have influenced the industry Factor Not at all Small
degree
Medium degree
Large degree
Very large degree Economic crisis
Animal friends’
reaction COVID-19 pandemic
Factor Not at all Small degree
Medium degree
Large degree
Very large degree State
Region
D. The future of the industry
16. Do you consider the industry to be sustainable?
17. . If you wish, justify your answer
………
………
18. To what degree do you think that the differentiation of the raw material (synthetic fur instead of real) will affect the following stakeholders?
Municipality Local community
Not at all Small degree
Medium degree
Large degree
Very large degree
Factor Not at all Small degree
Medium degree
Large degree
Very large degree Animal Farm
owners Fur sewing equipment companies Tanneries Fur workshops Wholesalers Stores for sale Employees
The wider economy
19. To what extent do you consider it possible to differentiate the raw material (synthetic fur instead of real)?
20. If you wish, justify your answer
………
………....
21. To what extent do you consider that the differentiation of the raw material
(synthetic fur instead of the real one) should be a choice of the companies and not to be imposed by Law?
22. To what extent do you think that the diversification of raw material (synthetic fur instead of real) will benefit the industry in the long run?
23. If you wish, justify your answer
………
………
Thank you for your participation Not at all Small
degree
Medium degree
Large degree
Very large degree
Not at all Small degree
Medium degree
Large degree
Very large degree
Not at all Small degree
Medium degree
Large degree
Very large degree
Appendix B: Interview guide
1. Please state your status.
2. I would like you to tell me what do you think the fur industry means for the area.
3. I would like you to tell me to what extent the industry has contributed to the development of the area.
4. In your opinion, what percentage of the inhabitants of the area depend directly or indirectly on the fur industry?
5. In your opinion, what percentage of the region's economy is represented by the companies directly related to the fur industry?
6. Do you think that industry is able to withstand an environment that changes so unpredictably and abruptly (financial crisis, reactions from animal welfare organizations, pandemic and in particular the killing of diseased animals)?
7. Do you think that the industry has reached a point where it will have to redefine its position regarding raw materials and in general the promotion of products in both the domestic and foreign markets?
8. Do you think consumers would want something different from industry companies, such as alternative raw materials?
9. Do you think that the State should support the industry in an effort to move to a new era and if so how?
10. If we assume that tomorrow the European Union, of which Greece is a Member State, legislates against the killing of animals for the purpose of exploiting their fur, I would like you to tell me what this would mean for the industry and the region in general.
11. What is the official position of the body represented on the problems of the fur industry?
12. Kastoria equals fur industry. What is your opinion?
13. Closing, I would like you to tell me what are the proposals of the body you represent regarding the viability of the industry.