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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Agricultural Business'
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Waidelich, William Dale. "Core occupational competencies for secondary agricultural education programs as identified by Ohio agricultural business and industry." Diss., This resource online, 1995. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-06062008-162255/.
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Norman, L. "The provision of agricultural management courses and the need for education and training in agricultural management." Thesis, University of Reading, 1986. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.371445.
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Hoagland, Leanne K. "A business plan and strategy for Big Sky Shires & Equine Services." Thesis, Manhattan, Kan. : Kansas State University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/491.
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Daesch, Nanci. "Identifying the finance skill sets needed for a large multi-national agricultural company agricultural company." Thesis, Kansas State University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/35238.
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Master of AgribusinessDepartment of Agricultural Economics
Allen M. Featherstone
The world is an ever-changing place with many demands on both companies and their employees. Finance individuals in a large multi-national company also have many demands placed on them as they grow and develop with the companies in which they work. A detailed analysis was performed on one large multi-national company in the agriculture sector to determine: 1. a framework to assess the skills that finance individuals need, 2. the desired skills and needs of the finance organization, 3. a current assessment of finance experiences and skills, and 4. the gaps between the current state and the desired skill level state. Although there are a number of criteria and competencies that can be used for assessment, this thesis focused on the critical skills and experiences for two key areas: 1. accounting and technical skills, and 2. analytical and business acumen skills. Skill set levels were measured at three criteria levels: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced. The desired state of the organization and the current state of the organization was defined and mapped on a Skill Set Grid and gaps were identified. When looking at the results, the data indicate that Company XYZ has several areas to explore further and refine. There were many gaps in the current state of the skill sets versus the desired state of the skill sets in both the areas of accounting and technical skills and analytical and business acumen skills. Further, the analytical and business acumen skills were significantly in need of further improvement. In addition, several areas of further refinement could occur that would further enhance the use of this skill assessment methodology. However, both the company and the employees who received feedback valued the information developed in this process.
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Sofokleous, Christakis. "Implementation of lean manufacturing improvement methodologies in a small agricultural business /." Available to subscribers only, 2007. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1328062221&sid=20&Fmt=2&clientId=1509&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
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Hayward, Michael Clifford. "A comparative study of optimal stratification in business and agricultural surveys." Thesis, University of Canterbury. Mathematics and Statistics, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/5697.
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This thesis is a comparative study of optimal design-based univariate stratification as applied to highly skewed populations such as those observed in business and agricultural surveys. Optimal stratification is a widely used method for reducing the variance or cost of estimates, and this work considers various optimal stratification algorithms, and in particular optimal boundary algorithms, to support this objective.
We first provide a background to the theory of stratification and stratified random sampling, and extend this through the derivation of optimal allocation strategies. We then examine the effect of allocation strategies on the variance and design effect of estimators, and in particular find several issues in applying optimal or Neyman allocation when there is little correlation between the survey population and auxiliary information.
We present a derivation of the intractable equations for the construction of optimal stratum boundaries, based on the work of Dalenius (1950), and derive the cumulative square root of frequency approximation of Dalenius & Hodges (1957). We then note a number of issues within the implementation of the cumulative square root of frequency rule surrounding the construction of initial intervals, and find that the placement of boundaries and the variance of estimates can be affected by the number of initial intervals. This then leads us to propose two new extensions to the cumulative square root of frequency algorithm, using linear and spline interpolation, and we find that these result in some improvements in the results for this algorithm.
We also present a complete derivation of the Ekman algorithm, and consider the extended approach of Hedlin (2000). We derive several new results relating to the Ekman algorithm, and propose a new kernel density based algorithm. We find all three Ekman based algorithms produce similar results for larger populations, and provide some recommendations on the use of these algorithms depending on the size of the population.
We look at the derivation and implementation of the Lavallee-Hidiroglou algorithm, and find that it is often slow to converge or does not converge for Neyman allocation. We therefore adopt a random search model of Kozak (2004), and note that the Lavallee-Hidiroglou algorithm generally produces superior results across all populations used in this thesis.
We briefly investigate the optimal number of strata by examining the work of Cochran (1977) and Kozak (2006), and find that there is a diminishing marginal effect from increasing the number of strata and possibly some benefit from constructing more than six strata. However we also acknowledge that the cost of constructing such strata may offset any potential gain in precision from constructing more than five or six strata.
Finally we consider the how many of these problems can be developed further, and ultimately find that such problems for deciding the number of strata, construction of stratum boundaries, and the allocation of sample units among the strata may require an approach that takes account of the relationship between the auxiliary variable and the survey information. We therefore suggest investigating these algorithms further within the context of a model-assisted environment in order to help account for the relationship between the auxiliary information and survey population.
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Mynhardt, Jan Stephanus. "A comparative leadership analysis in an agricultural business / Mynhardt J. S." Thesis, North-West University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/7287.
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The purpose of the study was to compare the perceptions of subordinates with top managements? own perceptions regarding top management leadership and innovative ability and to determine whether differences and/or similarities exist.
The Multi Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ form 5X) from Avolio & Bass (2004) was used to measure self– and subordinates? perceptions of leadership styles. The Situation Outlook Questionnaire (SOQ) was used to measure leaders? self– and subordinates? perception on the ability to be innovative.
The questionnaires were completed by 6 executive committee members (top management) and 94 subordinates that have a direct relationship with the executive committee members in an agricultural business.
The research findings revealed that there is a significant difference between leaders? (executive committee members) self–perceptions on their own leadership and ability to be innovative, versus the perceptions of their subordinates on their leadership and ability to be innovative. The research showed that leaders tend to assess themselves higher than their subordinates do. Both leaders and subordinates indicated that the leaders have a transformational leadership style. The results also showed that there is a weak to moderate, positively significant correlation between innovation and transformational leadership styles.Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.
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Vigorito, Anthony J. "Agricultural biotechnology, corporate hegemony, and the industrial colonization of science /." The Ohio State University, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1486459267522341.
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Higginbottom, Julie. "On- and off-farm business diversification by farm households." Thesis, Coventry University, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.388244.
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Olowu, Akinseye Uwem. "Agricultural financing and performance in Nigeria : a case study of the agricultural credit guarantee scheme." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/8532.
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Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Agricultural financing has a wide and deep history in Nigeria, owing to the fact that the Nigerian economy has huge potentials for growth especially from its agriculture sector which is the second largest contributor to GDP. Since the establishment of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme over 30 years ago, the total sum of 647,351 loans amounting to over N34 billion have been disbursed to farmers as at 2009. The result from this study shows that the guarantee scheme has been effective in providing agricultural financing as well as stimulating agricultural production in Nigeria. More specifically, the study found that, out of the five variables used in the models to determine agricultural performance, the credit finance provided under the ACGS and foreign exchange rates was found to be statistically significant to agricultural output. The credit provided under the ACGS has a significant effect on aggregate output; it was also found that the crop and the fishery subsectors are significantly affected by the credit finance provided under the ACGS, due to their short gestation period. However, the livestock and forestry subsectors do not have an immediate significant relationship with the credit finance due to their long gestation period; rather, they have a significant relationship with the depreciation of foreign exchange rates. A major policy implication from the study is that the government should continue to promote and support the operations of the ACGS to encourage farmers to invest their best efforts in agricultural production in Nigeria for food production and for enhanced agricultural export.
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Cheong, Elizabeth R. "The agricultural co-operative business structure in context a Western Australian study /." Connect to thesis, 2006. http://portal.ecu.edu.au/adt-public/adt-ECU2007.0022.html.
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van, Buuren Rudolph B. "BUSINESS INTEGRATION AS BASIS FOR GROWTH IN SMALL AND MEDIUM AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES." Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 6, Issue 2: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/506.
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Published ArticleIncreased diversity in the agricultural sector in South Africa is forcing farmers to focus on the production of value-added commodities in the face of mounting global competitive pressures. However, many farmers, by operating individually, are unable to expand operations to the scale necessary to become involved in value-adding processing. This requires too much capital, skills, and time. By pooling resources and forming integrated small and medium sized agricultural enterprises even small producers can enter the processing arena successfully. This paper focuses on the specific driving forces, pitfalls and strategies that agricultural SMEs need to pursue in order to survive.
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Mabelebele, Maishibe Johanna. "Situational analysis of Agricultural businesses within Aganang Municipality." Thesis, University of Limpopo, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/2570.
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Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2011The South African economic system is reliant to a greater extend on the availability of resources within this economy. Agricultural business opportunities should be properly explored to contribute significantly towards LED and the S.A economy at large. The aim of this study is to determine the situation of agricultural businesses, analyse the situation and give recommendations as input to the strategy that will assist to effectively improve the performance of agricultural businesses in Aganang municipality and their contribution to economic growth of the municipality. A general census of all these agricultural businesses within Aganang municipality as registered in the municipal LED database was considered for the research. Two different questionnaires were distributed to the two categories in the population, one for the officials and the other for business owners/managers. The results indicated that agricultural businesses in Aganang municipality are not aware of agricultural business opportunities and support programmes offered by government. They therefore do not participate in such programmes, remain survivalist and thus do not contribute to the economic growth of the municipality. The study recommends that: The younger generation should be involved in the agricultural sector. An active learning and entrepreneurship skill development programme at secondary school level should be considered. More farmers should be encouraged to engage in goat and cattle farming as the climate and soil structure dictates. There should be coordination of SMME including agricultural business development activities, within the municipality.
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Hayden, Anita Lisa. "Production and marketing of traditional herbs: A plan for developing agricultural opportunities in Indian country." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/279814.
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This research describes one approach to commercializing new horticultural crops for the natural products industry. The use of aeroponic technology proved to be feasible for the production of difficult-to-harvest, high-value root crops. Using Arctium lappa Asteraceae ("burdock") as a model crop in a modified A-frame aeroponic growing unit, the biomass and phytochemical yields of roots grown in aeroponics were compared to controls grown in a typical greenhouse soilless peat/perlite/sand mixture. No significant differences were seen in the yields of root biomass, measured as dry weights. No significant differences were seen in the phytochemical quality of the roots, as measured by the concentration of chlorogenic acid. Variability in the concentration of chlorogenic acid appeared to be lower in roots from the aeroponically-grown plants, indicating the possibility of improving phytochemical consistency using this horticultural technology. The feasibility of producing raw materials for the herbal dietary supplement industry in Native American communities and on reservations was also examined. Research exploring the use of a matched savings program called Individual Development Accounts indicated that low- and moderate-income Native American families are interested in becoming producers of herbal crops, using aeroponic and conventional horticultural technologies. This model of economic development for rural Native American populations may provide an example for integrating various tribal and federal programs with private enterprises to provide entrepreneurial opportunities for supplemental farm-based and home-based income. Finally, the feasibility of introducing a line of Native American branded products into the herbal dietary supplement market was tested. The results of this research indicate that this industry is an appropriate venue for adding value to agricultural products through the imagery and association of Native American culture, providing the consumer is convinced of the authenticity of the products. This multi-pronged, interdisciplinary approach to the commercialization of new agricultural crops, particularly those targeting niche consumer groups, could be transferred to other agricultural products.
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Huang, Zhi Feng. "Study of European Union Common Agricultural Policy : France agricultural policy anaysis." Thesis, University of Macau, 2008. http://umaclib3.umac.mo/record=b2555543.
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Premanath, Laksman 1955. "A comparison of volunteer leaders in 4-H with volunteer leaders in related urban youth group." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/291332.
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A comparative study was performed to identify personal characteristics and motivation of volunteer leaders from two youth groups; 4-H and Campfire. Criteria under study were appraised using questionnaires. Data analysis based on the responses obtained from 64 volunteer leaders. The personal characteristics investigated included expected period of service, support and encouragement, time spent on volunteer activities, satisfaction from service rendered, enrollment of volunteer leaders children, place of residence, length of residence, educational level, employment status, age, gender, and ethnicity. Affiliation, achievement, and power motivation factors were assessed. Most of the personal characteristics investigated were determined to be similar in the two groups. Major differences were found in the place of residence and tenure period. Youth leaders in both groups responded to the motivation inventory in a similar manner, although the two groups originated in rural and urban environments. The 4-H and Campfire volunteer leaders were highly achievement and affiliation motivated.
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Rudstrom, Margaretha Veronica 1962. "Optimal timing and quantity of sale of Arizona apples." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/291405.
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Arizona apple producers compete with Washington for fresh apple markets. As Arizona's apple production increases, its market share should also increase. Using quadratic programming to determine the spatial equilibrium between the wholesale markets of Los Angeles and Denver, the timing and quantity of apple sales from Arizona to these two wholesale markets are determined for current and potential fresh apple production in Arizona. The quadratic programming model is used to determine the feasibility of controlled atmosphere storage for Arizona. The quantity of apples sold monthly to Los Angeles and Denver wholesale markets are determined given restrictions on the percentage of the wholesale markets that Arizona apple producers could supply. Revenue from controlled atmosphere storage exceeds the variable costs associated with storage, marketing, and storage of apples.
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Van, Wyk Liret. "Project management : hit or miss in the Agricultural Research Council Infruitec-Nietvoorbij." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/51889.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A study was conducted within the Argicultural Research Council Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, by means of a questionnaire, regarding the application of project management. The study was done to investigate and bring forth opinions and reasons why project management is deemed to be unsuccessful within the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. A comprehensive study of literature regarding the successful application of project management within an organisation, was done. This was used to develop a questionnaire applicable to the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, to test the above mentioned perceptions. With the analysis of the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the questionnaire, opinions and perceptions of the respondents were identified, which should be of interest to the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. These opinions and perceptions undoubtedly influence the dynamics of the working environment and will in future influence the successful application of project management within the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. Therefore some areas of concern were identified which need attention before the ARC Infruitec- Nietvoorbij can be truly successful in the implementation of project management. With the analysis of the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the questionnaire, the results also indicated that "conventional" project management, as applied to the engineering, architectural and construction fields, can not without further ado, merely be applied in a research environment and specifically the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. The ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij needs to give specific attention to the development of an own methodology to apply project management in the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij. This methodology needs to be relayed by means of a specific strategy and policy inherent to the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Studie is gedoen by die Landbou Navorsingsraad Infruitec-Nietvoorbij aangaande die aanwending van projekbestuur, deur middel van 'n vraelys. Die studie is gedoen om opinies en redes uit te bring waarom projekbestuur onsuksesvol is by die LNR Infruitec- Nietvoorbij. 'n Omvattende literatuurstudie aangaande die suksesvolle aanwending van projekbestuur in 'n organisasie is gedoen. Die bevindinge uit die literatuurstudie is aangewend om 'n vraelys te ontwikkel wat van toepassing is op die Landbou Navorsingsraad Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, om sodoende die bogenoemde persepsies te toets. Met die analise van die kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe gedeeltes van die vraelys, is opinies en persepsies van die deelnemers geïdentifiseer wat betekenisvol vir die LNR Infruitec-Nietvoorbij behoort te wees. Die opinies en persepsies beïnvloed beslis die funksionaliteit van die werkomgewing en sal ook in die toekoms die suksesvolle aanwending van projekbestuur in die LNR Infruitec-Nietvoorbij beïnvloed. Daar is 'n aantal areas geïdentifiseer, waaraan aandag geskenk sal moet word, voordat die LNR Infruitec-Nietvoorbij werklik suksesvol met projekbestuur sal wees. Met die analise van die kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe gedeeltes van die vraelys het die resultate ook aangedui dat "konvensionele" projekbestuur soos toegepas in die ingenieurs-, argitektoniese-, en konstruksievelde, nie summier by die LNR Infruitec- Nietvoorbij en spesifiek in 'n navorsingsomgewing toegepas kan word nie. Die LNR Infruitec-Nietvoorbij moet spesifiek aandag skenk aan die ontwikkeling van 'n eie metodologie. Dié metodologie moet deur middel van 'n spesifieke strategie en beleid in the LNR Infruitec-Nietvoorbij gepromulgeer word.
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Valchovska, Stela. "Entrepreneurship among post-socialist agricultural producers : the case of Bulgaria." Thesis, University of Gloucestershire, 2010. http://eprints.glos.ac.uk/2792/.
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This research is concerned with exploring differences in the meaning of entrepreneurial behaviour among owner-managers of agricultural enterprises in Bulgaria. It aims to gain a better understanding of the origin and development of small businesses in a postsocialist context. Entrepreneurial behaviour is understood as the start-up and development of a new business and is examined through the views and experiences of agricultural producers. An exploratory conceptual framework, encompassing the individual owner-manger, the enterprise and the family, is developed to guide the investigation. It facilitated an analysis of the entrepreneurial process and the relationship between agricultural producers and their enterprises, while also taking into account the possible influences of involved family members. Data were drawn from qualitative face-to-face interviews with a diverse sample of 83 agricultural producers in four rural settlements. The respondents represented different demographic characteristics and agricultural sub-sectors. The findings from this exploratory research provide useful insights into the entrepreneurial behaviour of Bulgarian agricultural producers. Different patterns of engagement with the agricultural enterprises emerge. These are explained through startup motivations and growth aspirations and achievement, which in turn are related to differences in the scale of enterprises. Furthermore, patterns of engagement are related to differences in orientation towards self-employment and adoption of the role of owner-manager. Start-up motivations are associated with a complex interaction of different factors. They are also strongly related to the post-socialist context as represented by macro-level changes. The interviewees recognised and reacted differently to these changes. Presence of involved family members could have either a positive or negative influence on the start-up of new additional activities or the enlargement of existing ones. Contextual issues like the post-socialist background, culture and family contributed to a better understanding of the businesses and entrepreneurial behaviour. The results suggest that the entrepreneurial behaviour of post-socialist agricultural producers requires further research in order to gain an indepth understanding of why they undertake their own business.
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Crow, G. P. "Agricultural rationalization : The fate of family farmers in post-war Britain." Thesis, University of Essex, 1987. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.377083.
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Staley, Joshua. "A business plan for a 600-acre farm & 300-head commercial cow herd in south central Idaho." Thesis, Kansas State University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/7033.
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Master of AgribusinessDepartment of Agricultural Economics
Michael R. Langemeier
This thesis was written for the purpose of looking at the feasibility of operating a prospective business; a farm and ranch in southern Idaho. For practical reasons, I looked at a specific farm consisting of 600 irrigated acres, which are irrigated via 5 center pivots. Attached to the farm is an additional 400 acres of pasture ground seeded to crested wheat. In conjunction with operating the farm, I examined the feasibility of leasing a 300 head commercial cow herd from a separate owner than the land owner. Summer pasture for the cows would be leased from a grazing association located in northern Nevada and winter feed would come from the farm pasture, crop aftermath located on the farm, and corn stalks from a neighboring farm. Crops looked at being produced were grain corn and alfalfa hay. Operating cost projections were made using current market values, while the price received for each commodity is based on ten-year historical prices. Historical prices were used to determine whether the business is viable in the long-run. Rent on the farm is based on a 60/40 percent crop share of which the land owner’s share is 40 percent. Lease payment for the cow herd is based on a 2/3, 1/3 calf crop split of which the cow owner’s share is 1/3 of the calf crop. After analyzing the operation’s financials the business is not feasible.
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Kitsos, Anthony. "Examining Vermont Agricultural Producers’ Willingness To Pay For Extension One-On-One Business Planning Services And Future Programming Considerations." ScholarWorks @ UVM, 2020. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/1182.
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Extension agricultural business programs have provided enhanced individualized services to Vermont’s agricultural producers by using a variety of external funding sources combined with base departmental funds. These farm business programs are uniquely positioned to deliver one-on-one outreach education and information that not only has a direct benefit to private farm business owners but indirectly serves the public good by enhancing farm business viability. Meanwhile, there is an ongoing cultural shift among Extension professionals and farm owners who acknowledge that Extension programs cannot be sustained at low or no cost to participants. Funding for Extension programming has been declining for several years. Traditional funding sources, such as university base funding and state legislature appropriations, have been significantly reduced, and as a result, faculty positions in Extension nationwide have been reduced or eliminated altogether. New ways to support Extension programming must be developed in order to continue to deliver high quality business outreach education to Vermont agricultural producers. This research addresses this need in the following two ways. First, Farm Viability (now Agricultural Business) program participants were surveyed to gauge their understanding of declining funding from traditional sources to determine whether or not a fee-based structure for future programming is acceptable them. Next, a reflective essay proposes solutions for supplementing funding for Extension programming with a fee-for-service model for advanced and extended one-on-one programming. Survey results showed that those respondents likely to engage in programming beyond the initial 2-year period were willing to pay for extended services at a rate higher than the original application fee. Of those who were willing to pay for future services, 80% of respondents said that they would use a plan that included 1-3 visits at a cost of $250 - $499. The reflective essay defines program areas in need of funding enhancement, such as using facilitated management teams, succession planning and grant application assistance. The essay discusses programming opportunities that exist to serve at least some past program participants with additional one-on-one services, thereby sharing the increasing financial burden experienced by Extension educators in the presence of shrinking internal capacity to fund this type of outreach education. This research also raises awareness in areas of program costs, dwindling funding sources, and how participants can help share the financial burden. Important points for farmers weighing the merits of paying for program participation and future programing opportunities are discussed. These results can guide the efforts of program administrators seeking to improve the cost-effectiveness of Extension outreach education in Vermont agriculture.
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Ntifo-Siaw, Edward. "Managing agricultural extension : perceived performance of the training and visit and general extension approaches in Ghana /." The Ohio State University, 1993. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487848531363069.
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Lander, Christopher David. "Foreign direct investment in the Russian agricultural sector." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2017. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:8a5e811a-fdcc-4216-80ec-9aa0c140d129.
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This thesis investigates the experiences of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the agricultural sector of the Russian Federation. The focus is on the form of FDI, and how each investor responds, and adapts, to the Russian operational environment. This is achieved through extensive qualitative, and multiple methods research on three manifestations of FDI: corporate, privately-funded investment; corporate, publically-funded investment; and smaller, individual private investment. Of interest are the Russia-specific constraints that may be largely underprepared for by foreign investors, and unexpected events that occur in the Russian space that hamper the efforts of investors. This thesis, thus, informs the reader of the variable nature of the Russian agricultural sphere, and the problems that exist within its boundaries, and presents the stories of some of the foreign investors that have tried to penetrate its market, mostly since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The thesis consists of four papers that have either been published, or submitted for publication, in academic journals, and utilises fieldwork that was conducted between 2013 and 2014. This thesis finds that all of the foreign investors studied have experienced - in certain aspects - failure on the Russian frontier, though there have also been certain successes. It seems that financial success is dictated by the business model of each investor; those who are afforded longer time horizons, more time to adapt on the frontier, and a source of funds that does not place short-term pressure on the business, are more likely to succeed. The Russian operating environment is unique, peculiar, and unpredictable, with a tendency to produce substantial obstacles that, for investors, are difficult to overcome; for agricultural FDI to avoid these struggles, these environmental conditions need to be anticipated and prepared for, with clear strategies painstakingly thought through before any venture physically begins on Russian soil.
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Stephenson, Edward. "Stephenson enterprises: a business plan." Thesis, Kansas State University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/4604.
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Master of AgribusinessDepartment of Agricultural Economics
Michael W. Woolverton
A business plan serves two main functions: One is to provide a set of guidelines and expectations for running the business and the other would be to request funding from either a traditional or non-traditional lending source. Most business plans consist of the executive summary, business description, market analyses, management team, operations, and financial projections. Stephenson Enterprises is in the process of obtaining funding for a start-up business that will manufacture a biodegradable low cost substitute loose-fill packaging material. Due to the relatively high cost of this start-up, external funding is necessary. The first choice is to approach a large bank with the business plan, secondary choices if necessary would include smaller banks. The third choice would be alternative funding such as nonprofit organizations that provide start-up funding, however many of these are limited in the amount they lend. In order to garner funding for this entrepreneurship, it was decided that a business plan was needed. A business plan has two primary functions. One function is to set forth some guidelines as to how a firm is operated as well as what is projected. The second, and perhaps most often the reason a business plan is developed is to secure funding from a financial institution. Within the business plan a myriad of financial data was gathered to include: financial analysis, financial projections, cash flow, balance sheet, break-even analysis, sales proforma, income statements and sensitivity analyses. In addition to the financial data, a market analysis was conducted to provide insight into the local market. This business plan will not only provide an estimate of financials but will also serve as a guide book for operating the business.
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Kruger, Albertus Lambertus. "Agricultural extension programmes : problem conceptualisation and guideliness for the SA pome fruit industry." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/52643.
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Study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: No effective programmed extension exists in the South African pome fruit industry. There is a lack of farmer response and involvement, a lack of coordinated dissemination of information and no systematic and scientific approach in the development of extension programmes for the industry. Particularly important is the lack of a systematic conceptualisation of problems and specifically the lack of identification of the most direct determinants of behaviour (the psychological field forces) and a lack of the systematic addressing of these human constraints. DOvel's revised extension programme model was used as basis for this study. It included the identification, prioritisation, conceptualisation and determination of perceived problems that need to be addressed in the extension programmes. The most important identified problems that needs attention in an extension programme are producers' knowledge relating to all aspects of strategic planning (ie knowledge of basic principles, what is attainable, the advantages and disadvantages and the practical implementation), knowledge relating to the practical implementation of irrigation, bitter pit control and practices to increase fruit size, and knowledge that relates to basic principles of marketing.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen doelgerigte geprogrammeerde voorligting bestaan vir die Suid-Afrikaanse kernvrugindustrie nie. Daar is 'n tekort aan produsentebetrokkenheid, 'n tekort aan gekoordineerde verspreiding van inligting en daar is geen sistematiese en wetenskaplike benadering in die ontwikkeling van voorligtingsprogramme vir die industrie nie. Besonder belangrik is die afwesigheid van 'n sistematiese konseptualisering van probleme en meer spesifiek die tekort aan die identifisering van die meer direkte determinante van gedrag (die psigiese veldkragte) en die aanspreek van hierdie menslike beperkings. DOvel se hersiene model vir geprogrameerede voorligting het as basis gedien vir die studie. Die studie het ingesluit die identifisering, prioritisering, konseptualisering en bepaling van produsente se persepsie van aangespreek behoort te word. probleme wat binne voorligtingsprogramme Die belangrikste probleme wat in die studie geïdentifiseer is wat aandag moet geniet in voorligtingsprogramme is die produsente se kennis van alle aspekte van strategiese beplanning (kennis van basiese beginsels, kennis wat betrekking het op wat bereikbaar is met strategiese beplanning, die voor- en nadele daarvan asook die praktiese implementering van strategiese beplanning), kennis wat betrekking het op die praktiese implementering van besproeiing, bitterpit beheer en die verbetering van vruggroote asook die kennis wat betrekking het op die basiese beginsels van bemarking.
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Gonzalez-Diaz, F. "Improved forms of business collaboration for primary producers operating within the UK food supply chain." Thesis, Coventry University, 2009. http://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open/items/45dca1e3-2fe0-d6cd-3924-9b004fc17ca2/1.
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An intense trauma in the UK farming industry was caused by the foot-and-mouth disease. The Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food, chaired by Sir Donald Curry CBE, diagnosed that farming was detached from the other sectors of the economy and was “serving nobody well”. The final recommendations of this commission were focused on efficiency, adding value and diversification. Among the specific recommendations, there was an important emphasis on the need to increase collaboration and cooperation because it “is the best way for small farm business to get the benefits of being a large farm business” (Curry, 2002:34). UK experts in farmer collaboration such as, Parnell (1999a), and The Plunkett Foundation (1992) had previously made clear the need for bigger, better, more effective and efficient Farmer Controlled Businesses. English Farming and Food Partnerships (2004a), also, set the challenge to explore and evaluate new approaches to develop farmer controlled enterprises more imaginatively. Therefore, the main aim of this research was to identify new forms of collaboration between farmers, which might lead to gain greater scale and flexibility in farming operating in an increasingly global food chain. Using an inductive grounded theory approach comprising a series of Delphi iterative face to face interviews, three rounds of guided interviews were completed. These involved 55 experts in the field of business collaboration, selected using a purposive sampling approach. Interviewees included leading academics, government officials and advisors, senior managers and business proprietors of the most profitable and/or innovative UK-based collaborative ventures. The outcome of the research has been to develop three discreet but combinable models of collaboration. Each model requires different levels of commitment from its members and would suit different business situations. All the proposed models offer a business structure flexible enough to be easily adapted in response to changes in the market place, but they also offer the opportunity of combining into much bigger organisations with the potential to integrate small-scale businesses into networks of international companies. This research also reaffirms that the traditional cultural barriers and divisions between the different stages and participants of the food and farming industry were still present and hinder the development of a more competitive sector. Whilst there has been progress in the assimilation of the supply chain concept, most of the businesses involved did not see the other stages of the chain as their potential partners.
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Lundblad, Lowe, and Anna-Liisa Rissanen. "Precision Agriculture and Access to Agri-Finance : How precision technology can make farmers better applicants." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-149677.
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The World Bank has estimated that an additional $80 billion in financing are needed annually to achieve the 70 % increase in food supply required to feed the world in 2050. One of the cornerstones in achieving this increase in production is expected to be improved agricultural technology, where one of the latest additions is precision agriculture. It is believed that the money for investing in this technology must come from the private sector, but financial institutions are hesitant in lending money to farmers. This, in part, comes down to a high perceived riskiness in agricultural lending stemming from the risk composition in agriculture compared to other industries as well as from weak collaterals provided by farmers. This thesis aims to find what factors are most prominent in banks´ risk assessment of agricultural firms during the lending process and look at how precision agriculture could help mitigate these risks. We have gathered aggregated quantitative data from FAOSTAT and the Swedish Board of Agriculture on farm income and hectare yield (productivity) at Swedish farms. These variables were found to be two of the most important factors in agricultural lending based on previous research. In addition to this data, information on e.g. weather, ecological farming and expenditure related to pesticides, fertilizer, and machinery were collected to further the analysis. Precision agriculture is made up from a myriad of different technologies. We have opted to not separate the technologies in this study as the adoption of each technology included in the term is currently not sufficiently well understood. This aggregation of technologies allowed for us to use the dynamic AAGE-model to estimate the adoption based on the minimum hectare size where precision agriculture should be profitable at each point in time. The study finds that precision agriculture does have a positive impact on farm productivity and income volatility. Hence, precision agriculture should reduce the risk of agricultural financing given to adopting farmer which would increase the access to credit and, in continuation, lead to an increase in aggregated food production. In addition, we conclude that financial institutions should gain a better knowledge of precision agriculture technologies and use this information to improve the credit evaluation process in agricultural lending. Lastly, banks should understand how the risks related to information asymmetry and moral hazard could be reduced by utilizing the data available through farmers use of precision agriculture technology.
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Berg, Tina, and Klara Tjernberg. "Made in Sweden : En studie av svensk jordbruksproduktions villkor på en konkurrensutsatt marknad." Thesis, Linköping University, Department of Management and Economics, 2004. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-2156.
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Background: The situation for Swedish agricultural production today is characterized by an increased competition, particularly after the country joined the European Union. Swedish agricultural production laws guarantee safe, high quality foodstuffs. However, due to these strict laws, Swedish farmers face higher production costs than their competitors. Meanwhile, cheaper imported goods compete freely on the Swedish market. Swedish agricultural production must find new ways to survive in the increasing competition.
Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to se if, and if that is the case, how Swedish agricultural production can compete on the Swedish market, maintaining its high quality. The focal point is the Swedish poultry producer, Kronfågel.
Procedure: The empirical material has been collected through contacts with Kronfågel.
Results: The thesis gives Kronfågel concrete guidelines of how to act on the Swedish market concerning positioning, pricing and information.
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Börjeson, Natasja. "Coffee is money, maize is food : Discussing agricultural specialization in Tanzania." Thesis, Södertörn University College, School of Life Sciences, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-1080.
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This paper deals with the economic development of Tanzania and especially with the development of the smallholders. My aim is to study whether the Structural Adjustment Programmes have helped to facilitate growth in the agricultural and export-sector and if the reforms implemented through the programmes have made agricultural specialization easier and improved the economic situation for the smallholders.
In this paper, I will discuss that there might be significant limitations in the favours received due to SAP and that the Structural Adjustment Programmes because of this may not be the model for agricultural development as it is claimed by the initiators; the World Bank and the IMF. On the contrary, I present the idea that SAP can be said to have failed in its undertaking and that the reforms might not be suitable for the smallholder sector. I will in the paper argue that SAP has not facilitated an agricultural specialization and that this has much to do with the increase of production costs that the smallholders have been faced with after the reforms. And because of this it could be argued that the Structural Adjustment Programmes might not be an appropriate development strategy for Tanzania, if the country is to achieve growth through specialization. Consequently, there might be reason to believe that the reforms not are overall suitable for the Tanzanian development, considering that a growth within the agricultural smallholder sector is crucial for Tanzania to achieve a long term economic growth.
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Breytenbach, Adell. "The market potential for the floppy sprinkler irrigation system in the global agricultural sector." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/21378.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.This research study analyses the market potential for the Floppy Sprinkler irrigation system in the global market. It explores the global irrigation market and its environment to identify the driving forces that influence the industry as well as the potential that Floppy Sprinkler could unleash as a competitor. The researcher assesses the industry value chain to determine the fit and alliance opportunities for Floppy Sprinkler in the value chain. The study further analyses the competitive pressures influencing the competitive environment. Applied research is used in this study to gain a comprehensive understanding of the market. Acknowledged diagnostic models in the field of strategic management were used to guide the study. These included the PESTLE analysis to evaluate the macro-environment of the agriculture sector; the value chain analysis to assess the agricultural industry value chain; Porter’s Five Forces Model to analyse the competitive pressures for Floppy Sprinkler; and the SWOT analysis to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The relevant data were collected through both primary and secondary sources. Two questionnaires were designed, the first to industry specialists in the agriculture sector with the purpose to gain insight of the irrigation and agriculture environment; and the second to Floppy Sprinkler irrigation system users, with the purpose to obtain a rating, opinion and relevance of the product in the market. The research disclosed that forces within the macro environment influence the industry significantly. These specifically revolved around climate change, water scarcity, land availability, soil degradation, population growth and changing lifestyles. The value chain analysis revealed that opportunities exist in the agriculture industry to create horizontal and vertical alliances to strengthen Floppy Sprinkler’s position in the market. Competitive pressures in the market include direct competitors of Floppy Sprinkler, as well as the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers. Threat of new entrants and substitute products are not perceived to be immediate competitive pressures for Floppy Sprinkler owing to its cutting-edge technology, which offers a distinctive competitive advantage. Finally, opportunities were identified, which served as recommendations for Floppy Sprinkler in developing its strategy.
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Doan, D. Clair. "Strategic planning as a differentiating factor in performance." Thesis, Manhattan, Kan. : Kansas State University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/1461.
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Japhta, R. "Thandi agricultural linkages project : lessons from a case study in land reform." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/20840.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Drawing on an exploratory case study in agricultural linkages, this report seeks to provide lessons on how the rural poor might engage in more sustainable land refonn in South Africa. The Thandi Agricultural Linkages Project case study is a land reform initiative of the Capespan Group, South Africa's largest fruit exporting company. The study explores how small farmers involved in worker equity-share schemes can benefit from the opportunities from demand-driven changes in high value agriculture in South Africa. The study examines the institutional mechanisms adopted by Capespan to integrate emerging fruit farmers in the supply chain and its effects on farm profitability and sustainability. Six farms were chosen as the object of research for the study. The research argues that, whilst Govenunent have promulgated legislation and made resources avai lable to facilitate land reform in agriculture, its impact and sustainability is questionable. Whilst land reform to date is viewed by many critics in South Africa as a failure, this report argues that there are important, but largely unexplored. cases of success. These will require policy interventions, as well as much greater private sector involvement to overcome the capacity gaps which exists among farmers that have been empowered through land reform. Some of these opportunities call for innovative private sector agribusiness champions that can partner with Government to link emerging farmers in new ways into global and profitable local, value chains. Land reform is unlikely to be economically and institutionally sustainable unless action is taken to improve access to factors of production, strengthen the enabling environment and provide skills development and technical assistance to emerging farmers in a highly competitive global marketplace. This research report compiles a list of 'good practices' that could be replicated. and documents the lessons learned from the Thandi Agricultural Linkages Project. It is hoped that these lessons will be used to inform the policy, design and implementation of future land reform projects in South Africa .
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Deur die aanwending van 'n ondersoekende gevallestudie oor bindinge in die landbou. wil hierdie verslag graag aandui hoe behoeftiges in die platteland moontlik deel mag he aan meeT volhoubare grondhervorming in Suid-Afrika. Die Thandi Agricultural Linkages-gevallestudie is 'n grondhervormingsinisiatief van die Capespan Groep, SuidAfrika se grootste vrugte-uitvoermaatskappy. Die studie ondersoek hoe kleinboere wat in werkememers gelyke-aandeleskemas betrokke is, voordeel kan trek uit die geleenthede van vraaggedrewe veranderinge in hoewaarde landbou in Suid-Afrika. Die studie ondersoek die institusionele meganismes wat deur Capespan toegepas is om opkomende vrugteboere in die verskaffingsketting te integreer en die gevolglike uitwerking op plaaswinsgewendheid en volhoubaarheid. Ses plase is as die onderwerp vir navorsing in hierdie studie gekies. Die navorsing voer aan dat hoewel die Regering wetgewing geproklameer en hulpbronne beskikbaar gestel het om grondhervonning in landbou te fasiliteer, die impak. en volhoubaarheid daarvan bevraagteken word. Terwyl baie kritici in Suid-Afrika grondhervonning tot op hede as 'n mislukking afmaak, word daar in hierdie vers lag geredeneer dat daar belangrike, maar grotendeels onverkende, gevalle van sukses is. Dit sal beleidsingrype, sowel as baie groter privaatsektor betrokkenheid benodig am die kapasiteitsgapings te oorbrug wat bestaan tussen boere wat deur grondhervorming bemagtig is. Sommige van hierdie geleenthede vereis innoverende, privaatsektor agrisake-kampioene wat as vennote saam met die Regering kan optree om opkomende boere op nuwe wyses in verbinding te bring met wereld- en winsgewende plaaslike. waardekettings. Die moontlikheid is skraal dat grondhervorming ekonomies en institusioneel volhoubaar sal wees. tensy daar optrede is om toe gang tot faktore van produksie te verbeter. die bemagtigingsomgewing te versterk en vaardigheidsontwikkeling en tegniese hulp aan opkomende boere 10 'n hoogskompeterende wereldmark te voorsien. Hierdie navorsingsverslag verskaf 'n Iys van 'goeie bedrywe' wat ged upliseer kan word, en dokumenteer die lesse wat uit die Thandi Agricultural Linkages-projek voortgevloei het. Daar word geboop dat hierdie lesse aangewend sal word om die beleid, antwerp en implementering van toekomstige grondhervormingsprojekte in Suid-Afrika te informeer
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Mhlongo, Madumelana Innocentia. "Refocusing a parastatal financier a case study of the Mpumalanga Agricultural Development Corporarion /." Pretoria : [s.n.], 2006. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-08212007-104655.
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Van, der Westhuizen Winnie. "The creation of wealth through family businesses within the agricultural sector of the Western Cape." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/21188.
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Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Why can some family businesses survive over several generations when others cannot even be successfully carried over to the second generation? Can it be connected to the creation and definition of wealth? To create wealth for future generations implies much more than just establishing a financially healthy family business. This report examines all the other elements that are crucial to creating wealth and prosperity. In his research Mr Jaffe found that the creation of wealth and prosperity consists out of six dimensions. These dimensions are spiritual capital, financial capital, human capital, family capital, structural capital and societal capital. All of these dimensions are examined and tested in this report and members of family businesses in the Western Cape were asked for personal contributions by completing a questionnaire. From the research it is clear that some of these farmers do not have the correct and necessary structures in place to make it possible for their family businesses to survive to the next generations. Some of these dimensions are being addressed while the farmers have no idea of how important they are to the survival of their family business. Communication is one of the most compelling requirements for success and members of family businesses will have to realise how important effective and healthy communication is. Family members have to be able to communicate their expectations of each other and have to know each other's positive and negative characteristics. This will help ensure that family members are applied in areas they are strong in. To reach its full potential a family business must utilise its members to the fullest. By following these guidelines lasting wealth and prosperity can be created.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hoekom kan sommige familiebesighede vir gesla9te lank corleet en ander nie eers suksesvol oorgedra word na die tweede ge51a9 nie? Het dit moontlik iets te doen met die skepping en definisie van rykdom? Om rykdom te skep vir toekomstige geslagte behels baie meer as net die daarstelling van 'n finansieel gesonde familiebesigheid. Hierdie tesis ondersoek die ander elemente wat oak van kardinale belang is in die skepping van welvaart. Mnr Jaffe het uit sy navorsing bevind dat die skepping van welvaart ses dimensies behels. Die dimensies is geestelike-kapitaal, finansiele-kapitaal, menslike-kapitaal, familie-kapitaal, strukturele-kapitaal en gemeenskapskapitaal. In hierdie tesis word hierdie dimensies getoet5 en ontleed. Daar is aan lede van landbou-familiebesighede in die Wes-Kaap gevra om hul persoonlike ervaringe te deel deur middel van 'n vraelys. Uit die navorsing is dit duidelik dat sommige van die boere nie al die regte strukture in plek het wat dit moontlik sal maak vir hul familiebesighede om die volgende paar geslagte te aorleet nie. Party van die dimensies word weer aangespreek sonder dat die boere besef hoe belangrik dit regtig vir die toekoms van hul familiebesigheid is. Lede van familiebesighede sal moet besef dat goeie, gesonde kommunikasie baie belangrik vir sukses is. Die familielede moet vir mekaar kan se wat hul verwagtinge van mekaar is en moet ook weet wat die goeie en slegte punte van die ander lede van die familie is. Oit sal daartoe bydra dat familielede aangewend kan word in die areas waarin hulle sterk is. Om die volle potensiaal van 'n familiebesigheid te bereik moet al die familielede optimaal benut word. So kan blywende rykdom geskep word vir toekomstige geslagte.
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Fisher, Taryn E. "Small and Midscale Dairy Farming in the Northeast| Achieving Economic Resilience through Business Opportunity Analysis." Thesis, Franklin Pierce University, 2014. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3604794.
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This dissertation investigates the dairy farming industry in the Northeastern United States and, in particular, the key drivers of economic viability and competitive advantage for small and midscale commercial dairy producers. The research approach employed was a literature review combined with primary case study observation and data collection. Historical perspective has been presented to provide an overarching contextual framework for this study. Four dairy farms were purposefully selected for case study research because they represented various aspects of a pre-defined set of variables and because they demonstrated relevant similarities as well as significant differences in terms of alternative business strategy. The classical business opportunity analytical process has been customized for practical use application by small and midscale dairy farmers. This tailored process has been validated using research findings; it offers a fresh way of identifying a strategic approach in pursuit of economic viability and competitive advantage that best fits an operation's unique set of characteristics. This process is intended for practical use application on a broader scale by dairy farmers in the Northeast to facilitate their understanding of challenging industry dynamics, of emergent market opportunity and inherent potency, and of both internal and external hurdles to be overcome. Finally, recommendations for next steps have been presented.
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Brusk, Amy M. "Survey of business management factors associated with mixed animal veterinary practice size and growth." Thesis, Manhattan, Kan. : Kansas State University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/1431.
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Pecinová, Iveta. "Rozvoj agroturistiky v zemědělském podniku." Master's thesis, Vysoké učení technické v Brně. Fakulta podnikatelská, 2009. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-222280.
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This master’s thesis deals with a business project concerning development of agricultural tourism along with farming business. In the first part of the work there are basic terms referring to agriculture, small family businesses and agricultural tourism defined. The following part of this thesis is the present situation analyses of a particular agricultural business. a business plan regarding a development of agricultural tourism in an agricultural business is designed on the basis of gained information further in practical part of the work.
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Konda, Issa 1962. "Tractor repair and maintenance costs and management policies in Burkina Faso." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/277842.
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Farm machinery management data were collected in Burkina Faso, for the prediction of repair and maintenance costs. Equations were developed to predict repair and maintenance costs of tractors, cane loaders, generators and motorpumps. The analysis of data revealed that tractor repair and maintenance appears a greater burden than predicted by the American and Australian data. Tractor trade-in was not prescribed by the rule of minimum total cost per unit tractor use. Farm machinery and power units were operated more than twice as long as in the United States. New machine purchase was discouraged by the current sugar prices on the local market.
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Makhuvha, Musiwalo Jeremiah. "Matabane Secondary Agricultural Co-operative : challenges and opportunities in sustaining enterprise development." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/95595.
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Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the 19th century, farming in South Africa included vibrant small scale farms that were market responsive and competitive. Legislation enacted in the early 20th century adversely affected these farmers while supporting the development of large commercial farmers. The extensive government support for the White farmers was seen as a mode of increasing national output as well as creating food self-sufficiency, but at the same time, this decreased food security for the Black population. Major changes in the South African government in 1994 attempted to address these inequalities, amongst other, by supporting small-scale farmers. However, the gap between White and Black producers has been closing very slowly. Small-scale farming faced a wide range of enterprise development challenges. As a response to these challenges, the Government enacted the New Co-operative Act No.14 of 2005 to promote sustainable small business development by introducing the provision of incentives for agricultural co-operatives. This study has sought to determine the challenges and opportunities that are encountered in sustaining enterprise development and has used the Matabane Secondary Agricultural Co-operative (MSAC) as a case study. The goal is to develop strategies which can minimise the challenges and exploit the opportunities that will enable MSAC to realise its ultimate goal of improving livelihoods and reducing poverty. A review of current literature provided the secondary data for the study. The literature indicated the importance of social and physical capital in the sustainability of enterprise development. Social capital, in the context of sustainability of livelihoods, is defined as networks with shared norms, values and understandings that facilitate co-operation within the group. It can also be seen as the ability of the co-operative or group to secure benefits through membership in networks and other social structures (Finkelstein et al., 2007, Porters, 2000). Physical capital refers to any non-human asset made by humans and then used in the production process (Finkelstein et al, 2007, Porters, 2000). Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires delivered to 37 members of the MSAC. Thirty one members responded and were interviewed personally by the researcher. The questions were designed to investigate the challenges and opportunities faced by members and how they relate to social and physical capital. The results were analysed quantitatively using both descriptive and chi-squared statistical analysis. The results reflect the challenges and opportunities for enterprise development as perceived by co-operative members. The analysis explored this in terms of social and physical capital. The predominant challenges described were lack of access to finance and lack of mechanisation. The greatest opportunities seen were related to the bonds, bridges and linkages formed by co-operative members. Based on the assessment of the study, several recommendations were made. The introduction of a Co-operative Development Fund (CDF) would support and strengthen the co-operative financially, addressing both the issues of lack of access to finance and lack of mechanisation. On-site training programmes would enhance the members’ ability to participate in the decision making process of the co-operative and better manage their operations. The study has further shown that a lack of, or limited intra-governmental co-ordination proved to be one of the major challenging factors. It would be advantageous to organise an intergovernmental information service whose purpose would be to co-ordinate activities and pool resources of different agencies in their efforts to achieve common goals.
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Rönnberg, Louise, and Carl Tingström. "Possibilities and obstacles for Palestinian women entrepreneurs in agricultural micro enterprises." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-130524.
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Background: Women partaking in businesses as entrepreneurs is a field getting increased attention in Palestine. Women’s underutilized economic potential along with entrepreneurial activity as a key driver behind economic progress, make the field of women entrepreneurship in Palestine a matter of importance. The agricultural sector is one of the larger for Palestinian women employment, which is why it might attract aspiring entrepreneurs. With investments from Palestinian authorities as well as NGOs, directed towards developing Palestinian women entrepreneurship, one could argue that the opportunities for women to become entrepreneurs exist. But what is the opinion of the women entrepreneurs themselves regarding existing possibilities and obstacles?Purpose of the study: To examine the process for women entrepreneurs of establishing and running micro companies in the agricultural sector on the West Bank in order to highlight the possibilities and obstacles that they experience.Methodological framework: The study had a qualitative approach in which we conducted semi-structured interviewes with eleven women entrepreneurs, active in agriculture.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that women enter entrepreneurship out of necessity as well as reasons more connected to self fulfilment and grasping at possibly profitable business opportunities. Previous experience in agriculture affected both the willingness to start a business and proved helpful for the entrepreneurial success. Notable challenges were found in marketing, legal matters and the physically tiring work. Most of our respondents did not concentrate on developing the support activities connected to their businesses, directing more of their attention towards primary activities. Our respondents also made use of networks, spanning from private connections to professional contacts.
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Lin, Feng-yi, and 林鳳儀. "Agricultural market business operation 248 Agricultural market case study." Thesis, 2014. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/7gb29k.
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碩士國立中央大學
高階主管企管碩士班
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Global warming and ecological destruction are two of the biggest threats to the agricultural industry and to human existence. Structural imbalance of food production and marketing, the impact of opening the market by joining the WTO, and the high production risk and low return faced by farmers are just some of the difficulties that the industry is facing in Taiwan today. The many countries placing more importance to the development of organic agriculture policies, the promotion of local sourcing, the establishing of farmers markets, and the linking between production and consumption. This study uses the 248 Agriculture Market as the object, using Hamels management model, to explore the promotion of the market’s core values, the history of the market, its organizational structure, and its business model The results of the study found that 248 Market acts as a place to promote small-land farmers, a platform to for communications between the farmers and the customers. It also reduces the distance between the urban and rural gap, changing the roles of the farmers, and expand cooperation in diverse and stable sales opportunities. This study concludes and recommends the strengthen space planning to improve and strengthen support for education advocacy , accelerate sales operation mechanism, the use of information systems architecture dense system, integration of resources and assist the government agricultural policy and the integration of resources and strategic alliances, etc. Based on this study, it is advantageous to master critical operating market, planning the localization features, and be subject to public and private sector attention, looking forward to enhance social responsibility and market’s green brand promotion, providing advice and development of the domestic operations of the farmers' markets in the future.
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Liu, Xuan. "Essays in agricultural business risk management." Thesis, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/1828/13258.
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Insurance has been considered as a useful tool for farmers to mitigate income volatility. However, there remain concerns that insurance may distort crop production decisions. Positive mathematical programming (PMP) models of farmers’ cropping decisions can be applied to study the effect of agricultural business risk management (BRM) policies on farmers’ decisions on land use and their incomes. Before being used to examine agricultural producer responses to policy changes under the expected utility framework, the models must first be calibrated to obtain the values of the risk aversion coefficient and the cost function parameters. In chapter 2, three calibration approaches are compared for disentangling the risk parameter from the parameters of the cost function. Then, in chapter 3, to investigate the impacts on production incentives of changes in Canada’s AgriStability program, farm management models are calibrated for farms with different cost structures for three different Alberta regions. Results indicate that farmers’ observed attitudes towards risk vary with cost structure. After joining the program, all farmers alter their land allocations to some extent. The introduction of a reference margin limit (RML) in the AgriStability program under Growing Forward 2 (2013-2018), which was retained in the replacement legislation until 2020, has the most negative impact on farmers with the lowest costs. The removal of RML significantly increases the benefits to low-cost farmers.
Traditional insurance products provide financial support to farmers. However, for fruit farmers, the products’ quality can be greatly affected by the weather conditions during the stage of fruit development and ripening, which may lead to quality downgrade and a significant loss in revenue with little impacts on yields. Hence, chapters 4 and 5 investigate the conceptual feasibility of using weather-indexed insurance (WII) to hedge against non-catastrophic, but quality-impacting weather conditions to complement existing traditional insurance.
Prospect theory is applied to analyze a farmer’s demand for WII. The theoretical model demonstrates that an increase in the volatility of total revenue and the revenue proportion from blueberries increases the possibility of farmers’ participation in WII. On the other hand, the increase in the value loss aversion coefficient and WII’s basis risk leads to less demand for WII.
To design a WII product for blueberry growers to hedge against quality risk, a quality index must be constructed and the relationship between key weather conditions, such as cumulative maximum temperature and cumulative excess rainfall, and the quality index should be quantified. The results from a partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) show that the above goals are achievable. Further, rainfall and temperature can be modelled via a time-series model and statistical distributions, respectively, to provide reasonable estimates for calculating insurance premia.Graduate
2022-08-05
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Kao, Sheng-Hao, and 高聖豪. "Agricultural Cooperatives Build Business Processes and Benefits of E-Business Research- With Three Excellent Example of Agricultural Cooperatives." Thesis, 2011. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/25778617288897711829.
Full textAbstract:
碩士雲林科技大學
資訊管理系碩士班
99
Agricultural cooperatives for farmers and their willingness to cooperate based on common needs, the principle of equality in mutual aid organization, based on agricultural operations overcome the difficulties, appearance, reduce costs and improve operational efficiency and enhancing competitiveness of the farmers group. The purposes of this study fend to investigate the impact of agricultural cooperatives build electronic key factor to understand the growth of agricultural cooperatives. This study is to qualitative research case study as research method to study the success of agricultural cooperatives. Yanjiu object, choose to study agricultural cooperatives field as, and to multiple sources of evidence gathering Gean information, interviews and related Shi Bao Han Zheng Wen Jian, Dai Zi Liao collected and, Jianli Qi data bank cases, to Quebao of Xin degrees. Information encoded in part with the case grounded theory of Fang shijin hang data handle to draw out of this Yan Jiu Zhi story lines and to theoretical point of view analysis of agricultural Hezuoshechang stage of the development process in Ge, and then made conclusions of this study. The results showed that all agricultural cooperatives are to resolve the core of electronic management reform, the manager of the electronic system reform proposed by the views of the top-down. In addition, all agricultural cooperative activities electronically, before the electronic system have been the core of the reform of management. In the electronic process, the system supports external suppliers, and play three different roles, in order were the development of electronic, electronic sales and electronic services. On the other hand, the agricultural cooperative play of electronic supervision of information officers, coaches and student roles.
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Hsiung, Wei-Chiang, and 熊維強. "Exploring business model of organic agricultural products." Thesis, 2016. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/21537845708534221082.
Full textAbstract:
碩士亞洲大學
經營管理學系碩士在職專班
105
The purpose of this research probes the business modal of organic agricultural produce. In connection with industrial general situations commercial business modal and crucial successful elements analyze the business current situations of organic agricultural produce. By this step, to realize consumers’ demand motivation and traders’ business current situations. To let the traders make better their business modal and to increase benefit. Also, to regard social position and worth of forming food safety and environment protection get affirmation. The main method of research is by their “character” to research it. In connection with producers, traders, and users of organic agricultural produces, to realize the business current situations of relevance traders by interviewing of multi-points, and to clarify the tactics of industrial development by intervening of commercial business modal. Actually, the results of the research shows that the industry of organic agricultural produce have the development potentiality to been proved. Secondly, nine essential factors of commercial business modal (including goal customers, customer relation selling access, value viewpoint, cooperative partner, network core ability, value allocation, cost structure, and profit modal) they all should positively develop to help the business development of organic agricultural produces and correlation traders, and they directly affect obtainable performance. Finally, the key successful elements of organic agricultural produce include organized research, good & bad of under development, SOP of solving problems, long- term vision of business, industrial competitiveness, all kinds of produce items and characteristic produces. After clarifying, it might let business of organic agricultural produce to be found industrial position and developing tactics.
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ZHU, SHI-LIN, and 朱施霖. "Innovation Business Models of Taiwan’s agricultural Social Enterprises." Thesis, 2015. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/6hkf3g.
Full textAbstract:
碩士明志科技大學
經營管理系碩士班
103
Over time, the agriculture industry in Taiwan, a nation founded on agricultural development, gradually declined as the government introduced a series of new economic policies. However, with the rise of social enterprises, numerous agricultural social enterprises have been established in recent years. This study investigated the innovation business models adopted by agricultural social enterprises in Taiwan, and used the Business Model Canvas proposed by Osterwalder et al. (2012) as the analytical tool. This Canvas comprises 9 business building blocks, namely, value proposition, customer segments, key partners, key activities, key resources, customer relationships, channels, cost structure, and revenue streams. By using this research framework, we examined the innovation business models employed by the case company examined in this study. The results indicated that agricultural social enterprises use their innovation business model to resolve social concerns and create social value for their producers and consumers. Moreover, these enterprises introduce innovative products and services to improve their business performance, thereby achieving their social missions. Subsequently, they reinvest the revenues obtained, thus facilitating the sustainable development of their organization.
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HSIEH, LAN-I., and 謝嵐儀. "Business Model Construction of Agricultural Product Distribution Platform." Thesis, 2019. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/f7muj4.
Full textAbstract:
碩士國立高雄科技大學
財務管理系
107
Building upon the innovation in business model, this paper constructs an agricultural product distribtuting marketing platform, which helps incresing the marketing channels of Taiwanese agricultural product. We also use "Lovefood" as a case study to discuss the feasibility of our marketing platform. Our main results include that (1) our agricultural product distribtuting marketing platform appears to have feasibility for practical business; (2) the total cost of "Lovefood" platform is NT$ 1.4 millions; (3) via our platform, we creat two scoial benefit, i.e., simplifing the marketing loadings for Taiwanese agricultural product and improving income for distributor (e.g., parent volunteer)
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WU, MIN-JUNG, and 吳旻容. "Exploring the Business Model of Agricultural Social Enterprises: A Case Study of Y Agricultural Enterprise." Thesis, 2019. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/bkw3n6.
Full textAbstract:
碩士國立中正大學
會計與資訊碩士在職專班
107
Due to the government's resources are limited and facing the imbalance between supply and demand of work force in urban and rural areas, the concept of social enterprises is gradually extended. Companies can create social value and maintain good business performance with the right business model. Taiwan is not only based on agriculture but also have a fertility environment to plant many crops. Therefore, develop the social enterprises and cooperate with farmers under contract is the trend of the future. This study uses the qualitative research method, refers to the Osterwalder & Pigneur （2012） business model for in-depth interviews with agricultural companies and combines with literature analysis. Understand how to create social value in the social enterprise and business model concepts. This study finds the development of business models is constantly innovating and transforming in the life cycle of the enterprise. In this research, we find innovation and value proposition as its main core and then makes the proposal to enhance the agribusiness’s competitive advantage by appropriate and feasible innovative business models. The results are expected to be the reference for follow-up research and related industry. And the following management practices are proposed for the agribusiness operators planning to the agricultural social enterprise. 1. Based on the spirit of shared value and link the trust between farmers and society. 2. Inventory and integrate the capabilities and resources of the organization. 3. Continuous innovation and develop agricultural technology and refinement actively.
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Sung, Yu Lin, and 宋育霖. "A Study on Agricultural Marketing and Business Models to Achieve the Enhancement of Agricultural Value." Thesis, 2015. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/15681531873051931844.
Full textAbstract:
碩士國立清華大學
經營管理碩士在職專班
103
The study investigates how the agricultural value can be enhanced by improving agricultural marketing strategies and creating business models, which supports sustainability of agriculture. In the past, the main activities of agricultural promotion had focused on the strategies of agricultural products selling. Now more marketing strategies and food processing are applied to increase the value of agricultural products. In this study, the reason that people leave off farming is mainly due to individual earning issue. For this reason, enhancing agricultural value can be considered a better way to improve agricultural producers’ lives and their individual economic status. Enterprises’ function is to create value and to distribute value to consumers and agricultural production sectors which motivates people to join the agricultural industry and to maintain primary production sectors. When the primary production sectors are maintained and sound, the agricultural related industries, such as the food processing, farming and tourism industries, can sustain.
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XIE, LUO-YI, and 謝洛艤. "The Study on Business Model of Agricultural Machinery KnowledgePlatform." Thesis, 2018. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/mv9u9y.
Full textAbstract:
碩士國立臺北大學
企業管理學系
107
Agriculture is the fundamental industry of the country. The development of agriculture will directly affect the overall economic development. Agricultural machinery is indispensable for modern agricultural machine. China is now on the way of agricultural mechanization development encountered problems, the first is the rural population aging, the cultural level is low, the problem such as low income, the gaps between urban and rural areas. Followed by agricultural machinery industry homogeneity, mid-range products, such as flood serious problems, these problems will restrict the development of Chinese agricultural mechanization and modernization. This study will use the business plan model proposed by Richard c. Dorf (2011) to analyze its business model. The business plan will analyze the knowledge platform of agricultural machinery from five elements: opportunity, mission, vision, business model and Six Forces Model. Agricultural machinery knowledge platform integrates knowledge website, community platform and e-commerce. Knowledge website provides agricultural knowledge for farmers and provides knowledge help for their agricultural activities.The community platform integrates farmers, agricultural professionals and agricultural machinery manufacturers to provide a platform for communication and to recruit professionals through the community platform. Agricultural machinery sowing and harvesting service provides knowledge platform with low price, high quality and high efficiency service, enhances farmer's agricultural productivity, lets farmer see the convenience brought by science and technology, from now on no longer fears science and technology, and enhances the quality of life through science and technology.