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A-11/22 Social integration mechanisms to strengthen absorptive capacity in agricultural advisory service organisations

Artikkel
Sammendrag

Writers: Egil Petter Stræte, Bjørn Gunnar Hansen, Eystein Ystad og Gunn-Turid Kvam

Purpose To explore the structures and processes within agricultural advisory organisations that may enhance absorptive capacity (AC) and determine how organisations develop their AC.

Design/methodology/approach A qualitative explorative case study of advisory services in Norway, which are structured as farmer cooperatives. Interviews, document analysis, and internet information are applied.

Findings Strong social mechanisms are needed to realise the potential AC in an organisation. Advisory organisations with incorporated research and development (R&D) can translate findings from both their own research projects and external sources, which increases their absorptive capacity and boosts service innovation. Further, systematic emphasis on continuous learning strengthens AC, as do networking and internal communications.

Practical implications By improving the incorporation of R&D, continuous learning and networking, advisory service organisations can benefit from the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS). Ultimately farmers can receive more updated and relevant services for their farms.

Theoretical implications Incorporation of R&D, continuous learning and networking are significant social integration mechanisms that can improve a firm’s AC.

Originality/value Previous studies on AC have shown that it is important for innovation. This paper sheds additional light on how AC can be improved.

The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, DOI: 10.1080/1389224X.2022.2117214

A-6/22 Managing growth in medium-sized organic businesses: Implications for local orientation and resilience building

Artikkel
Sammendrag

Forfattere: Rebecka Milestad, Susanne von Münchhausen, Gunn-Turid Kvam, Markus Schermer

This article explores how locally oriented organic businesses adapt to handle crises during a growth process to build resilience, how these businesses maintain the local orientation when growing and what the implications are for the relationship between territoriality and organic production. We explored four cases of organic businesses in Sweden, Norway, Germany and Austria. The cases can be described as Values-based Territorial Food Networks. All cases experienced challenges and crises during their growth processes and sought to provide stability and flexibility in order to deal with change. The restructuration process required internalising learning into their organisations, using diversity in a strategic way and forming long-term partnerships within their value chains. While organic certification was never at stake, the meaning of ‘local’ shifted in some of the cases.
Sociologia Ruralis, https://doi.org/10.1111/soru.12393

R-2/22 Kunnskapsstatus om bærekraftig norsk fôrproduksjon til havbruk og husdyr i jordbruket

Rapport
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Forfattere: Anders Mahlum Melås, Marit Aursand, Ida Grong Aursand, Bjørn Eidem, Silje Forbord, Gunn-Turid Kvam, Roald Sand, Inger Beate Standal, Grete Stokstad, Egil Petter Stræte og Margareth Øverland

Denne rapporten oppsummerer status for en rekke fôrråvarer og diskuterer ulike aspekter av bærekraft relatert til fôr og fôrsystem. Prosjektet har vært et samarbeid mellom forskere fra Ruralis – institutt for rural- og regionalforskning, SINTEF Ocean, NIBIO, NMBU Biovit og TFoU (nå SINTEF Digital). Arbeidet er finansiert av Forskningsmidlene for jordbruk og matindustri og egeninnsats fra brukerpartnere i prosjektet.

A-3/22 The role of farmers’ microAKIS at differernt stages of uptake of digital technology

Artikkel
Sammendrag

Forfattere: Gunn-Turid Kvam, Renate M.B. Hårstad og Egil Petter Stræte
Purpose
To explore the role of farmers’ Micro Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (microAKIS) for different adopter categories and stages of uptake of digital technologies, by studying single farmers’ assemblages and sources of knowledge.
Methodology
The Triggering Change Model (TCM) was used to explore the role of microAKIS at different stages of innovation uptake. Two case studies were carried out of a radical digital technology, Automatic Milking Systems (AMS), and an incremental digital technology, electronic bells (e-bells).
Findings
In the AMS case, the farmer-based organizations that traditionally advise farmers were not visible for pioneers and early adopters at any stages of the TCM, but they were able to develop support in cooperation with technology suppliers for later adopters. For e-bells, farmers’ microAKIS was broad in the awareness stage but narrowed in the later stages and consisted then of mainly peer – for farmers with less digital competence.
Practical Implications
For radical digital technology, the farmer-based organizations should take an active role in all stages of technology uptake for all farmer categories. For incremental digital technologies, there is a need for farmer-based organizations to support farmers with weaker digital skills. To improve advice, farmers-based organizations should cooperate with technology suppliers.
Theoretical Implications
The study provides new insight into farmers’ microAKIS at different stages of farmers’ uptake of a radical and an incremental digital technology and in the transformation of AKIS.
Originality
This paper combines the microAKIS methodology with the TCM and farmer adopter categories for both a radical and an incremental digital technology.
The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2022.2046617

N-2/21 Samarbeid om vekstskifte i jordbruket

Notat
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Forfattere: Egil Petter Stræte, Gunn-Turid Kvam og Astrid Johansen

Variert vekstskifte er kjent innen agronomien som et effektivt jordforbedrings- og planteverntiltak med positiv effekt på både avlingsmengde og kvalitet, og dermed også på det økonomiske resultatet for bonden. I dette notatet har vi en praktisk tilnærming til samarbeid om vekstskifte mellom bønder, og vi retter søkelyset på hvilke forutsetninger et slikt samarbeid bør bygge på og på vilkår som bør være til stede for å lykkes. Vi ser også på mulige tiltak som kan bidra til å styrke samarbeidet, enten samarbeidet gjelder allsidige vekstskifter (korn, gras, potet og/eller grønnsaker), eller det gjelder samarbeid om enklere vekstskifter mellom for eksempel korn og gras, eller bare mellom ulike kornarter. I notatet foreslår vi flere tiltak for støtte opp om et vekstskiftesamarbeid, og mulige framgangsmåter i arbeidet. Vi har også et forslag til ei interessekartlegging blant mulige deltakere i et samarbeid, samt ei skisse til avtale om samarbeid. Målgruppe for notatet er primært rådgivere, bønder og andre som er interessert i vekstskiftesamarbeid på tvers av jordbrukseiendommer.

A-22/18 The importance of the advisor’s relational and professional competence and formal power in meetings with farmers

Artikkel
Sammendrag

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to explore how advisors’ relational and professional competence influences inter-subjectivity and farmers’ perceptions of farm visits in a setting where advisors have formal power.Methodology: Advisors from the dairy company Tine, which is owned by farmers in collaboration, visit farmers at least once a year. The aim of the visit is to assist farmers in managing the farm and to control the production conditions in the cowshed. In a case study, we attended 10 such mandatory advisor visits and interviewed both farmers and advisors.Findings: Together with advisor style, our findings show that the power relation leaves room for advisors to define their roles widely, ranging from inspector to coach. Advisors have different perceptions of what their jobs are and when they have done a good job. These differences determine the degree of inter-subjectivity and how satisfied farmers are with visits. Furthermore, advisors’ relational and professional competencies are crucial for achieving high inter-subjectivity and satisfied farmers.Theoretical implications: This paper contributes to the theory by identifying factors that influence farmers’ perceptions of advisor visits, as well as by showing the importance of the advisor’s relational and professional competence in a setting where they have formal power.Practical implications: Partly as an outcome of this study, Tine has started a process to separate the control function from farm visits. Tine has also decided to let farmers choose advisors themselves. Originality/value: The power relation in our study differs from most consultant–client interactions in the literature. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, DOI:10.1080/1389224X.2018.1479280

R-1/18 Rådgivning i landbruket – en casestudie

Rapport
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Rådgivning i landbruket – en casestudie, er en rapport som oppsummerer arbeidspakke 2 i forskningsprosjektet Kompetent bonde som har blitt ledet av Ruralis og pågått i perioden 2015 – 2018. Målet med casestudien var todelt: 1) å studere sentrale faktorer for innovasjon og endring av praksis blant bønder og 2) å studere hvilke modeller og metoder som kan bli identifisert i rådgivninga og hvordan disse fungerer. For å svare på forskningsspørsmålene har vi gjennomført casestudier av rådgivningstilbud hos fire av våre samarbeidspartnere i prosjektet: Felleskjøpet, Tine, Norsk Landbruksrådgiving og Nortura. Rapporten oppsummerer resultater fra casestudiene og gir avslutningsvis forslag til tiltak for å styrke kompetanseutvikling i landbruket.

Evaluering av kompetansetjenestene under Utviklingsprogrammet

Rapport
Sammendrag

Innovasjon Norge engasjerte Oxford Research for å evaluere kompetansetjenestene under Utviklingsprogrammet for landbruk og reindrift.
Utviklingsprogrammet skal skape økt vekst og verdiskaping innen lokalmat, reiseliv, reindriftsnæringen, Inn på tunet, innlandsfiske og andre tilleggsnæringer basert på landbrukets ressurser. Som del av programmet tilbys ulike verktøy for å styrke bedriftenes matfaglige, markedsmessige og forretningsmessige kompetanse. Oxford Research: Kristiansand

A-4/18 The importance of the advisor’s relational and professional competence and formal power in meetings with farmers

Artikkel
Sammendrag

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to explore how advisors’ relational and professional competence influences inter-subjectivity and farmers’ perceptions of farm visits in a setting where advisors have formal power. Methodology: Advisors from the dairy company Tine, which is owned by farmers in collaboration, visit farmers at least once a year. The aim of the visit is to assist farmers in managing the farm and to control the production conditions in the cowshed. In a case study, we attended 10 such mandatory advisor visits and interviewed both farmers and advisors. Findings: Together with advisor style, our findings show that the power relation leaves room for advisors to define their roles widely, ranging from inspector to coach. Advisors have different perceptions of what their jobs are and when they have done a good job. These differences determine the degree of inter-subjectivity and how satisfied farmers are with visits. Furthermore, advisors’ relational and professional competencies are crucial for achieving high inter-subjectivity and satisfied farmers. Theoretical implications: This paper contributes to the theory by identifying factors that influence farmers’ perceptions of advisor visits, as well as by showing the importance of the advisor’s relational and professional competence in a setting where they have formal power. Practical implications: Partly as an outcome of this study, Tine has started a process to separate the control function from farm visits. Tine has also decided to let farmers choose advisors themselves. Originality/value: The power relation in our study differs from most consultant–client interactions in the literature. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, DOI: 10.1080/1389224X.2018.1479280

A-18/17 It’s Not Always about Growth! Development Dynamics and Management in Food Businesses and Chains

  • Gunn-Turid Kvam
  • Susanne von Münchhausen
  • Anna Maria Häring
  • Karlheinz Knickel
Artikkel
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Growing small and medium-sized food enterprises (SMEs) face specific challenges, especially when they aim to maintain a higher quality of products and processes. While growing, they tend to converge either towards niche markets or mainstream commodity markets, and as a result sacrifice higher quality and value. In this article, we explore the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises and their related food supply chains, as well as the related challenges. The focus is on the management of individual businesses, the coordination and cooperation along chains and the required realignment during growth. Particular attention is paid to discontinuities and inconsistencies, and the identification of the factors that limit or enable a sustainable development of food enterprises and chains. The article is based on a case-study approach. The business logic concept, which has been developed in the context of a European research project, provides the analytical framework for the analysis of the cases. Central to the business logic concept is the idea that business goals, strategies, management and management instruments ought to be coherent. The business logic approach facilitates the examination of coherence in business and in chain management. It helps to identify the adjustments and realignment needed in times of change. Our results show that development paths vary significantly between businesses and chains, and that business growth in particular is associated with a variety of challenges. Such discontinuities and inconsistencies tend to be linked with phases of internal consolidation when management capacities, structures and processes are adapted to new requirements. Adaptations in business strategies and operational management are particularly important when food production, processing and sales aim to maintain higher product and process qualities in spite of rapid growth. Reflexive management practices and continuous learning among managers and those in responsible positions, and the related coaching, are key success factors.   Published in: International Journal of Sociology of Agriculture and Food Volume 24, issue 1 (2017), pages 37–55 ISSN: 0798-1759 Authors: Susanne von Münchhausena, Anna Maria Häringa, Gunn-Turid Kvamb and Karlheinz Knickelc Affiliation: aFaculty of Landscape Management and Nature Conservation, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Eberswalde, Germany; bCentre for Rural Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; cInstitute for Rural Development Research, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

R-2/18 Kompetanse og rådgiving i jordbruket: Kunnskapsoversikt, aktuelle problemstillinger og analytiske perspektiver for studier av bønders kompetanse som samspill mellom bønder, rådgiving og forskning

Rapport
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Rapporten gir en oversikt over norsk og internasjonal forskning på tema knyttet til rådgiving, kunnskap og innovasjon i jordbruket. Oversikten omfatter også en kort gjennomgang av de mest aktuelle faglige perspektiver som brukes i dag. Rapporten avsluttes med å peke på utfordringer forfatterne mener man har i det norske kunnskaps- og innovasjonssystemet.

A-13/17 Trading Growth – A Study of the Governance of Norwegian Whey Protein Concentrate Exports

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Sammendrag

In this paper, we explore the global value chain (GVC) for whey protein concentrate (WPC 80) and permeate powder (PP) through a study following the practicalities of the export of WPC 80 and PP from the Norwegian farmer - owned dairy cooperative, Tine SA. We follow processing, packaging, logistics and export administration. The study suggests that the value chain and the partnership between Tine and Arla Foods may be described as a “captive” global value chain were Tine is transactional dependent on the main actor, Arla Food Ingredients. We conclude by discussing some features of the global markets for engineered food. Proceedings in System Dynamics and Innovation in Food Networks 2017

A-10/17 Governance and growth – A case study of Norwegian whey protein concentrate exports

Artikkel
Sammendrag

In this article, we explore the global value chain (GVC) for whey protein concentrate (WPC 80) and permeate powder (PP) through a case study following the practicalities of the export of WPC 80 and PP from the Norwegian farmer-owned dairy cooperative, Tine SA. We follow processing, packaging, logistics and export administration. The study suggests that the value chain and the partnership between Tine and Arla Foods may be described as a "captive" global value chain were Tine is transactional dependent on the main actor, Arla Food Ingredients. We conclude by discussing some features of power relations in global value chains and the global markets. International Journal on Food System Dynamics. Vol.8 nr. 4

A-6/17 Achieving best-fit configurations through advisory subsystems in AKIS: case studies of advisory service provisioning for diverse types of farmers in Norway

Artikkel
Sammendrag

Purpose: In light of the discussion on ‘best-fit’ in pluralistic advisory systems, this article aims to present and discuss challenges for advisory services in serving various types of farmers when they seek and acquire farm business advice. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical basis is data derived from four workshops, five interviews with staff from advisory organizations, and interviews with 11 farmers. Findings: Emerging configurations serve different types of farmers, that is, private advisors serve different clients in different ways; these could be considered subsystems within the overall advisory system. Practical implications: Best-fit configurations of advisory services exist within a country setting in response to farmers’ information demands and how they seek information, as well as public goals of the advisory system, and lead to advisory subsystems. Policy-makers should monitor the emergence of these subsystems and become active participants in some of them, in line with the concept of the public sector as regulator of private and commercial advisory systems. Theoretical implications: Best-fit has been mainly explored at country level, but this study shows that, within countries, different advisory service configurations are formed. So, best-fit should not be considered at national level only, in view of subsystems which can have wider or narrower boundaries. More broadly, the concept of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) should not be confined to the national level, for example, in view of farmer specializations within countries and the international dimensions of advisory systems. Originality/value: The originality lies in the further unraveling of heterogeneity within AKIS and what this implies for advisory service delivery configurations.
The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2017.1320640

A-5/17 How relationships can influence an organic firm’s network identity

Artikkel
Sammendrag

A main challenge when organic food actors cooperate with conventional food actors is to maintain their identity in the relationship. In this paper, we analyse such a relationship through the use of the industrial marketing and purchasing perspective (IMP). The aim is to increase knowledge about changes in relationships that occur through growth processes and about how new relationships influence the identity of a quality-oriented firm. We use a case-study method when examining the relationship between the organic Røros Dairy and the retail chain Coop, and its effects on relationships within the dairy network. Results show that the focal relationship influences, and in turn is influenced by, the dairy’s network. Because of the dairy’s strong identity that preceded its formal cooperation with Coop, as well as its reputation for quality production and continuous product development, the dairy has strengthened its position in the network. We conclude that the IMP perspective contributes a valuable framework in this study of an organic food network. For business managers, our results highlight the importance of considering possible effects of relationships on the identity one would want to convey. European Planning Studies. vol. 25 (7)

R-3/15 Evaluering av Helse i Valdres fra 2010-2014

Rapport
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Rapporten er en evaluering av Arenaprosjektet Helse i Valdres fra 2010 til 2014. Evalueringen er bestilt av Valdres Næringshage. Formålet med Arenaprosjektet var å etablere en bedriftsklynge med helse- og reiselivsbedrifter i Valdres, der man så et stort potensial for utvikling av disse bedriftene gjennom samarbeid. Evalueringen baserer seg på intervju med totalt 12 personer med tilknytning til prosjektet. I tillegg er evalueringen basert på skriftlig materiale om prosjektet. Resultatene viser at det er lagt ned et stort arbeid i prosjektet for å få etablert samarbeidskonsepter og en klynge. Det har ikke lyktes prosjektet å få etablert en klynge av både helse- og reiselivsbedrifter. Dette skyldes ulike forhold, som at gruppen av bedrifter var for umodne til å starte i et klyngeprosjekt, de kjente hverandre dårlig før prosjektet ble etablert, prosjektet var for dårlig forankret i bedriftene og helse- og reiselivsbedriftene opplevde å være for ulike til å etablere felles prosjekt. Siden 2014 har «klyngen» bestått av fire helsebedrifter som har mange spennende konsepter på gang og som er svært motiverte for å fortsette samarbeide også etter prosjektets slutt i september 2015.