Understanding of farm management decision making and factors influencing its processes in the Korean context

Jong-sun Kim (2010). Understanding of farm management decision making and factors influencing its processes in the Korean context PhD Thesis, School of Integrative Systems, The University of Queensland.

       
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Author Jong-sun Kim
Thesis Title Understanding of farm management decision making and factors influencing its processes in the Korean context
School, Centre or Institute School of Integrative Systems
Institution The University of Queensland
Publication date 2010-04
Thesis type PhD Thesis
Supervisor Dr. Donald Cameron
Dr. Pau Dargusch
Total pages 292
Total colour pages 1
Total black and white pages 291
Subjects 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Abstract/Summary ABSTRACT This thesis analyses the characteristics of Korean farmers’ decision-making and the factors influencing their decision processes. Because relatively little research has been undertaken in this area, this research aims to provide a better understanding of farmers’ farm management decision-making in the Korean context. From the literature review, the conceptual research framework for this study was developed, leading to the formulation of a series of Research Questions (RQs) related to categorising farmers’ personal aspects (RQ-1), identifying crucial farm management decisions (RQ-2), modelling the decision-making processes and factors (RQ-3), identifying the degree of farmer satisfaction with decisions (RQ-4), and examining the relationships that exist between decision-making types and personal aspects, and business performance (RQ-5). On the basis of the constructivist paradigm, developing a better understanding of farmers’ decision-making and the processes involved was achieved by describing (descriptive study) the internal and external factors faced by farmers and by categorising the processes pertaining to farmers’ decisions (theoretical study). For the descriptive study, qualitative and quantitative methods were combined and data were collected using both a mail survey and in-depth interviews. For the theoretical study, a grounded theory approach was adopted and data was collected through in-depth interviews according to the theoretical sampling method suggested by Corbin and Strauss (1990). In the first phase of the study concerning RQ-1, farmers’ business life cycles, and their attitudes and values towards farming are identified and categorised. These personal aspects and their business performance are found to be significantly related. The second phase of this study, which addresses RQ-2, RQ-3, and RQ-4, reveals that the head of the household plays a major role both in strategic and tactical decision-making as an independent and a co-operative decision maker, whereas the participation of other family members in decision-making is comparatively minor. The findings reveal that strategic decision-making is motivated by business viabilities and/or solving difficulties in terms of maintaining the farm business, whereas tactical decision-making is aimed at addressing difficulties in farming activities. Internal aspects (i.e. physical conditions and family structure) are incorporated in the strategic decision-considering process. The decision-implementing processes are stimulated or constrained by external factors such as economic situations and government policies. However, tactical decision-making appears to be heavily influenced by external environments (i.e. social and economic factors, the natural environment, and technical matters). This research also reveals that Korean farmers are dissatisfied with their decision processes and outcomes. Based on the findings from this second phase of the research study, farmers’ decision-making styles, strategic decision-making types, and tactical decision-making types are identified. Finally, in the third phase of this study concerning RQ-5, the relationships between decision-making types and personal aspects and business performance are examined. This reveals that farmers, who implemented strategic decisions, have active attitudes and are more successful in terms of their business performance compared to those who did not implement strategic decisions. Consequently, this study makes a number of original contributions to this area of research, particularly in terms of providing a basic and substantive framework for farm management decision-making research in the Korean context. Furthermore, for policy makers and extension providers, this study contributes to developing a better understanding of how government policy is incorporated into individual farmer decision-making, and identifies what difficulties (or constraints) farmers are facing in their decision-making processes.
Keyword decision types, decision styles, farm management, strategic decisions, tactical decisions
Additional Notes page 32

 
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