scholarly journals Sustainable Family Farming Futures: Exploring the Challenges of Family Farm Decision Making through an Emotional Lens of ‘Belonging’

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 12271
Author(s):  
Lorraine A. Holloway ◽  
Gemma Catney ◽  
Aileen Stockdale ◽  
Roy Nelson

This paper illustrates the importance of moving beyond an economic focus, and towards an emotional one, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of why farmers can be reluctant to retire and/or pass their farm onto the next generation. We report on a two-phase qualitative study of family farm decision-making processes in Northern Ireland, drawing on 62 in-depth oral life history interviews with farmers, farmers’ spouses, and farm successors. In an attempt to gain a deeper understanding of the emotional aspects of retirement and succession decision-making processes, and their relationship with place belonging, in the first phase of this research we employed an innovative ‘Work and Talk’ method, whereby interviews were conducted while shadowing, or in some cases, co-working, with farmers on their land. The second phase of this research responded to restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and involved remote telephone or online interviews with family farm members. This research revealed the complex relationships between a ‘longing for belonging’ and emotional attachment to the family farm, and the challenges associated with patrilineal farming structures, expectations and identities, in planning for succession. The emotional impacts of strained relationships with policy makers around support for retirement emerged as a surprisingly dominant theme throughout the interview process, suggesting the need for greater emphasis on the emotional aspects of farming retirement and succession planning to inform future rural development policies targeted towards the sustainability of family farms.

Author(s):  
Lapo Mola ◽  
Cecilia Rossignoli ◽  
Andrea Carugati ◽  
Antonio Giangreco

This exploratory study analyses the effects of the technical and organisational characteristics of business intelligence systems (BIS) on knowledge sharing, collaboration, and decision-making processes. The authors conducted a two-phase multi-method investigation. First, we surveyed 30 enterprises using BIS on a regular basis; then, we engaged in an in-depth case study with one of the respondent companies. Our results show that, on average, the technical and organisational characteristics of the BIS are positively associated with an increase in knowledge sharing, leading to an improvement in internal collaboration that subsequently brings improvement in the quality of decision-making. This case study adds that the way the BIS is designed and appropriated in organisations is important in obtaining such results is. A BIS being designed so that it can be appropriated by the general employee base is key in obtaining the desired organizational impacts. This suggests some requirements for BIS design that we will discuss in terms of theoretical and managerial implications.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 1036-1060
Author(s):  
Cahyono Susetyo ◽  
Harry Timmermans ◽  
Bauke de Vries

Previous efforts to improve stakeholders’ involvement in planning and decision-making processes mostly put planners and decision makers as the ones who decide which solution is the best for the decision problems. In bottom-up planning and decision-making processes that supposedly involve stakeholders as much as possible, the most common practice is that when stakeholders have different preferences about the decision issues, supra decision makers such as planners and experts gather stakeholders’ preferences, and then, using their expertise and experience, decide what is the best choice for stakeholders. We approach the involvement of stakeholders in planning and decision-making not by relying on planners’ expertise but from a negotiation perspective. Previous works related to stakeholders’ negotiation mostly require stakeholders to engage in a face-to-face negotiation that seldom involves a computer system to improve the process. In this paper, we develop a negotiation system to support multi-issue and multi-stakeholder decision-making problems. In our approach, stakeholders do not directly interact with each other. Their proposals are submitted to a system that produces counter-proposals to reduce the differences among stakeholders’ proposals. Therefore, stakeholders do not exchange their preferences directly, but rather preference elicitations are mediated by the system. This approach is called computer-mediated negotiation. The system itself is based on the principle of an orthogonal strategy. Our computer-mediated negotiation protocol consists of two main phases. The first phase is the preference elicitation phase, which measures stakeholders’ utility functions. The second phase is the e-negotiation phase, in which stakeholders make their proposals and the computer system provides suggestions to improve them. To simulate real-world negotiations where stakeholders make proposals and counter-proposals in a series of negotiation rounds, we implemented the indifference curve approach to enable stakeholders to make incremental changes of their proposals during negotiation. The results from our experiment suggest that our method can produce an optimum solution for a multi-issue and multi-stakeholder decision problem by moving stakeholders’ proposals closer to one another.


1995 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colette Dumas ◽  
Jean Pierre Dupuis ◽  
Francine Richer ◽  
Louise St.-Cyr

The survival of family farms is threatened by rapid change, intense international competition, and a resulting reduction of interest in perpetuating the family farm. What influences the next generation to pursue family farming, in spite of the difficulties? Do these factors differ between men and women? An in-depth, descriptive, and exploratory study of thirty next generation family farm members indicates specific factors critical to their decision to pursue the family farm succession. The findings are depicted in a framework that portrays these factors of influence and the effect they have on the succession decision of the next generation. Implications for practice and future research are also presented.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina H Peterwerth ◽  
Margareta Halek ◽  
Sabrina Tulka ◽  
Rainhild Schäfers

BACKGROUND Risk perception plays an important role in decision-making processes. Differences in obstetric intervention rates suggest that, in addition to medical indications, the risk perception of obstetric health professionals might have a major influence on their decision-making process during childbirth. Although studies have investigated whether risk perception affects the role of midwifery or influences decision making during childbirth, little is known about what obstetric health professionals actually perceive as risk or risky situations and whether different risk perceptions lead to more interventions during intrapartum care. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to understand the association of risk perception and the decision-making processes of obstetric health professionals (midwives and obstetricians) in Germany during intrapartum care. The study has 3 specific aims: (1) gain insight into what obstetric health professionals perceive as risk in the German clinical setting, (2) assess the extent to which personal and systemic factors have an impact on obstetric health professionals’ risk perception, and (3) investigate whether different perceptions of risk are associated with different decisions being made by obstetric health professionals. METHODS This is an exploratory sequential mixed methods study with 2 phases, a qualitative followed by a quantitative phase. In the first phase, qualitative data are collected and analyzed by conducting focus group discussions and applying qualitative content analysis to address aim 1. In the second phase, for aims 2 and 3 and to help explain the qualitative results, quantitative data are collected and analyzed by conducting an observational study using case vignettes within a survey constructed on the basis of the qualitative results. RESULTS Enrollment in the first (qualitative) phase began in July 2019, and data collection and analysis have been completed. The second (quantitative) phase is currently planned, and data collection is expected to start in December 2020. First results of the qualitative phase are expected to be submitted for publication in 2020, with completion of the second phase scheduled for 2021. CONCLUSIONS This mixed methods study will examine the perception of risk and its association with the decision-making processes of obstetric health professionals during their care of women in childbirth. The rationale for this approach is that the qualitative data and their analysis explore participants' views in more depth, while the quantitative data will help to provide and explore a general understanding of the research problem. The results are expected to be relevant to health care professionals, policymakers, and educational institutions in order to minimize underuse, overuse, and misuse of interventions during intrapartum care. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017172; https://tinyurl.com/y2zoowkx INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/21443


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lapo Mola ◽  
Cecilia Rossignoli ◽  
Andrea Carugati ◽  
Antonio Giangreco

This exploratory study analyses the effects of the technical and organisational characteristics of business intelligence systems (BIS) on knowledge sharing, collaboration, and decision-making processes. The authors conducted a two-phase multi-method investigation. First, we surveyed 30 enterprises using BIS on a regular basis; then, we engaged in an in-depth case study with one of the respondent companies. Our results show that, on average, the technical and organisational characteristics of the BIS are positively associated with an increase in knowledge sharing, leading to an improvement in internal collaboration that subsequently brings improvement in the quality of decision-making. This case study adds that the way the BIS is designed and appropriated in organisations is important in obtaining such results is. A BIS being designed so that it can be appropriated by the general employee base is key in obtaining the desired organizational impacts. This suggests some requirements for BIS design that we will discuss in terms of theoretical and managerial implications.


Ekonomika APK ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 311 (9) ◽  
pp. 30-41
Author(s):  
Mykola Malik ◽  
Volodymyr Mamchur

The purpose of the article is to deepen the theoretical and methodological foundations of the creation and functioning of family farms in entrepreneurial activity and reveal their socio-economic orientation. Research methods. It is based on the concept of an active policy for the implementation of entrepreneurial potential in the countryside, the components of which are measures for the development of farms and family farms, including through the transformation mechanism of formalizing personal peasant farms into a market economy environment. In the process of research, the following scientific methods were used: dialectical scientific knowledge of processes and phenomena; monographic (analysis of scientific achievements of Ukrainian and foreign scientists, analysis of the stages of business development); graphic (to obtain a synthesized representation of the object of research, identify its components, establish causal relationships); empirical (based on a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the research object); comparative analysis (identified the problems and directions of the formation and development of farming; taking into account the specific conditions of agricultural activity and comparing the processes of farming development at the national level); prognostic (forming the conceptual framework for regulating and improving the entrepreneurship development strategy); abstract-logical (theoretical generalizations and formulation of conclusions). Research results. On the basis of generalization, measures were introduced, in particular, to compensate part of the single social payment (SSP) to family farms, according to the calculations, they can provide in the near future up to 200 thousand such farms (in the total potential of domestic family farming is about a million farms), which is possible both through a change in organizational and the legal form of already existing small farms, and through formalization of personal peasant farms into the market environment, acquiring the official status of physical person entrepreneur - SPE. Analyzing the role of the potential of family farming, it should be noted that its formation affects the development of Ukraine, since agriculture directly or indirectly ensures the achievement of many sustainable development goals provided for by the Sustainable Development Goals of Ukraine for the period up to 2030. The study made it possible to determine the socio-economic orientation and socio-economic efficiency of the development of family farming both for the Ukrainian economy and communities, taking into account the institutional, legal and financial and economic prerequisites for their functioning. Scientific novelty. The methodological representation and identification of the category of family farming have received further development, which is considered here as an organization of agricultural production, forestry, fisheries, livestock, aquaculture, which is managed by the family and can be organized both in the form of an individual and a legal entity. Practical significance. It was revealed that the peculiarity of the functioning of family farms lies in the fact that they simultaneously represent production and consumer unit, and therefore combine two goals - production (maximizing income) and consumer (increasing the well-being of all members of the household). The following models of development of subjects of the rural family economy have been systematized: a model of labor farming; the farm model based on the use of hired labor; family corporation model. It was found that on the basis of the family organization of labor, a small local economy “family farm” is formed, the features of which include: the duality of development goals, that is, the implementation of the entrepreneurial ability of its members to manage the land and maximize income; the reproductive process depends on the existing system of informal institutions; the defining norms of behavior of its members include: loyalty to traditions and cultural heritage, social orientation, innovation, sustainability, trust and predictability of actions of household members; a combination of multi-vector, contradictory processes; a combination of technological, economic and cultural conditions for the functioning of a family farm, which determine the synergistic effect.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Sadeghi Dastaki ◽  
Abbas Afrazeh ◽  
Masoud Mahootchi

Purpose Over the past years, many studies have explored the role of knowledge management (KM) in companies. KM is concerned with the measurement of knowledge to manage knowledge efficiently. On the other hand, the intangible nature of knowledge makes its measurement challenging. Furthermore, there is no standardized method to measure knowledge, and it is chiefly measured based on the subjective judgment of researchers. Moreover, New Product Development (NPD) departments in many companies strive to assess their knowledge in terms of company products and knowledge workers. Hence, this study aims to propose a product-based two-phase technique that measures the company knowledge inventory. Design/methodology/approach In the first phase, the value of knowledge is quantified relative to products, knowledge workers and the entire company using two concepts of knowledge width and depth. Then, a three-dimensional knowledge asset map (knowledge, products and knowledge worker dimensions) is designed to assess and audit knowledge workers. Finally, this technique recruits an integer linear programming model with a cost minimization objective function to optimize the supply of NPD knowledge requirements in the second phase. Findings This model enables managers to determine what type of knowledge can be supplied by existing knowledge workers, whether within the company or by other external sources. Originality/value Among existing knowledge measurement methods, only a few use a product-based measuring technique. However, they fail to offer suitable scenarios for managers' decision-making process and consider cost structures in measurement techniques. Hence, this paper attempts to overcome these drawbacks.


10.2196/21443 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e21443
Author(s):  
Nina H Peterwerth ◽  
Margareta Halek ◽  
Sabrina Tulka ◽  
Rainhild Schäfers

Background Risk perception plays an important role in decision-making processes. Differences in obstetric intervention rates suggest that, in addition to medical indications, the risk perception of obstetric health professionals might have a major influence on their decision-making process during childbirth. Although studies have investigated whether risk perception affects the role of midwifery or influences decision making during childbirth, little is known about what obstetric health professionals actually perceive as risk or risky situations and whether different risk perceptions lead to more interventions during intrapartum care. Objective The objective of this study is to understand the association of risk perception and the decision-making processes of obstetric health professionals (midwives and obstetricians) in Germany during intrapartum care. The study has 3 specific aims: (1) gain insight into what obstetric health professionals perceive as risk in the German clinical setting, (2) assess the extent to which personal and systemic factors have an impact on obstetric health professionals’ risk perception, and (3) investigate whether different perceptions of risk are associated with different decisions being made by obstetric health professionals. Methods This is an exploratory sequential mixed methods study with 2 phases, a qualitative followed by a quantitative phase. In the first phase, qualitative data are collected and analyzed by conducting focus group discussions and applying qualitative content analysis to address aim 1. In the second phase, for aims 2 and 3 and to help explain the qualitative results, quantitative data are collected and analyzed by conducting an observational study using case vignettes within a survey constructed on the basis of the qualitative results. Results Enrollment in the first (qualitative) phase began in July 2019, and data collection and analysis have been completed. The second (quantitative) phase is currently planned, and data collection is expected to start in December 2020. First results of the qualitative phase are expected to be submitted for publication in 2020, with completion of the second phase scheduled for 2021. Conclusions This mixed methods study will examine the perception of risk and its association with the decision-making processes of obstetric health professionals during their care of women in childbirth. The rationale for this approach is that the qualitative data and their analysis explore participants' views in more depth, while the quantitative data will help to provide and explore a general understanding of the research problem. The results are expected to be relevant to health care professionals, policymakers, and educational institutions in order to minimize underuse, overuse, and misuse of interventions during intrapartum care. Trial Registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017172; https://tinyurl.com/y2zoowkx International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/21443


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 11452
Author(s):  
Anthony M. Fuller ◽  
Siyuan Xu ◽  
Lee-Ann Sutherland ◽  
Fabiano Escher

This paper on family farms is in the form of an historical review complemented by current and future perspectives from North America, China, Brazil and Europe. The literature review demonstrates the multiple discourses, concepts and methodologies which underpin contemporary understandings of the family farm. The authors argue that family-based farming units are ubiquitous in most agricultural systems and take on many different forms and functions, conditioned by the structure of agriculture in different locations and political systems. Our review accepts this diversity and seeks to identify some key elements that inform our understanding of the sustainability of family farming, now and in the future. The term ‘family’ is the differentiating variable and behooves a sociological approach. However, economists can view the family farm as an economic unit, a business and even a firm. Geographers see family farms consigned to the margins of good land areas, and political scientists have seen family farms as a class. What emerges is a semantic enigma. As an imaginary term, ‘family farming’ is useful as a positive, universally valued ideal; as a definable entity on the ground, however, it is difficult to classify and measure for comparative policy and research purposes. This ambiguity is utilized by governments to manage the increasing capitalization of farm units while projecting the image of wholesome production of food. The case studies demonstrate the diversity of ways in which family farming ideologies are being mobilized in contemporary agrarian change processes. The notion of ‘land to the tiller’ is resonant with historic injustices in Scotland and Brazil, where family-based agriculture is understood as the ‘natural’ order of agricultural production and actively supported as an historic ideal. In contrast, in the Chinese context, ‘land to the tiller’ is a political means of increasing capital penetration and economic sustainability. Evidence from China, Brazil and Scotland demonstrates the active role of governments, coupled with symbolic ideologies of farming, which suggest that the longevity (i.e., sustainability) of family farming will continue.


2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 69-78
Author(s):  
Andriy Popovych

The beekeeping sector in the EU is small compared to other agricultural sectors, but necessary to pollinate most crops. In the European Union and Ukraine, the majority of beekeepers are small family farms. The family farm is an important institution of Western European agriculture and an important element of rural social life. The purpose of this article is to examine a particular type of agricultural enterprise and the type of activity that is beekeeping and to identify its specific features, which makes it possible to classify it as a family enterprise. The socio-economic analysis of apiculture is carried out from the perspective of two approaches. The first approach means meeting formal criteria for family farming. The second approach takes into account the most common practice in individual beekeeping. The apiary in terms of form and content corresponds to the definition of a family farm. The study suggests that the formulation and a series of theoretical and practical rules regarding family farming has been confirmed in the analysis of an individual beekeeping farm as a small form of agricultural production.


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