Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural
https://revistasober.org/article/doi/10.1590/1806-9479.2021.235777
Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural
Original Article

Family farm succession: evidence from absorptive capacity, social capital, and socioeconomic aspects

Sucessão familiar rural: evidências da capacidade absortiva, capital social e aspectos socioeconômicos

Rafael Gonçalves Abdala; Erlaine Binotto; João Augusto Rossi Borges

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Abstract

Abstract: Farm succession is a process socially built from the preparation of the successor and the farm to meet a family business’ expectations. This study aimed to identify how social capital, absorptive capacity, and socioeconomic characteristics influence farm succession. The survey was conducted sampling 82 soybean and corn Brazilian farmers. The questionnaire measured socioeconomic characteristics, Absorptive Capacity (AC), and Social Capital (SC). To test the influence of AC, SC, and socioeconomic characteristics on farm succession, Spearman correlation coefficient (rs) was performed. Results showed that the absorptive capacity can influence farm succession through acquisition, assimilation, use, and transformation of external knowledge into decision making, supporting the definition of successors. Results also suggested that social capital plays an important role to form relationship networks, stimulating discussions, and supporting the designation of successors. The socioeconomic characteristics ‘percentage of family income from the farm, participation in courses and lectures, and being a cooperatives member’ also presented a significant positive correlation with farm succession. Issues related to the capacity to absorb external knowledge, social and symbolic capital and generational transference can be fundamental in the continuity of the family farming business.

Keywords

knowledge, socioeconomic characteristics, successor, participation, cooperative, networks

Resumo

Resumo: A sucessão rural é um processo social construído a partir da preparação do sucessor e da fazenda para atender às expectativas da família. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar como capital social, capacidade absortiva e variáveis socioeconômicas influenciam na sucessão rural. A amostra foi composta por 82 produtores brasileiros de soja e milho. O questionário mediu características socioeconômicas, capacidade absortiva (CA) e capital social (CS). Para testar a influência da CA, CS e características socioeconômicas na sucessão rural, foi utilizado o coeficiente de correlação de Spearman (rs). Os resultados mostraram que a capacidade absortiva afeta a sucessão rural através da aquisição, assimilação, transformação e exploração de conhecimento externo, podendo auxiliar na definição de sucessores. Os resultados também sugeriram que o capital social desempenha um papel importante na construção de redes de relacionamento, estimulando a discussão e a definição de sucessores. As características socioeconômicas – percentual da renda familiar da propriedade, participação em cursos e palestras, e associação a cooperativas – também apresentaram correlação positiva e significativa em relação à sucessão na propriedade. Questões relacionadas à capacidade de absorção e conhecimento externo, capital simbólico e social, e transição geracional podem ser fundamentais na continuidade dos negócios rurais familiares.

Palavras-chave

conhecimento, características socioeconômicas, sucessor, participação, cooperativa, redes

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Submetido em:
30/03/2020

Aceito em:
07/04/2021

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