Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-ndmmz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-04T10:29:05.577Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Risk-Increasing and Risk-Reducing Practices in Human Resource Management: Focus Group Discussions with Livestock Managers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2015

Vera Bitsch  and
Nicole J. Olynk
Vera Bitsch
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Nicole J. Olynk
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Historically, managers in livestock production have focused on production management; however, as operations have grown they have spent more time managing employees. Increased time spent overseeing employees brings additional risks and challenges, and, hence, a greater need for human resource management (HRM) skills. This study investigated HRM practices in pork production and analyzed their risk attributes through six focus group discussions with managers. Results were compared to existing data from four dairy focus groups and to other research. The results have been used to develop and adapt educational workshops for managers in pork production.

Keywords

focus group research methodlabor managementpersonnel managementqualitative researchrisk managementrisk perceptionB49M12M50M52M53M54M59Q12Q19
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 40 , Issue 1 , April 2007 , pp. 185 - 201
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Baquet, A.E., Hambleton, R., and Jose, D. Introduction to Risk Management: Understanding Agricultural Risks. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Risk Management Agency, 1997.Google Scholar
Bitsch, V., Abate, G. Kassa, Harsh, S.B., and Mugera, A.W. “Human Resource Management Risks: Sources and Control Strategies Based on Dairy Farmer Focus Groups.” Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 38(April 2006):123–36.Google Scholar
Bitsch, V., and Harsh, S.B. “Labor Risk Attributes in the Green Industry: Business Owners’ and Managers’ Perspectives.” Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics 36(December 2004):731–45.Google Scholar
Bitsch, V., and Olynk, N.J. “Skills Required of Managers in Livestock Production: Evidence from Focus Group Research.” Review of Agricultural Economics 29,4(2007):749–64.Google Scholar
Bitsch, V., and Yakura, E.K. “Middle Management in Agriculture: Roles, Functions, and Practices.” International Food and Agribusiness Management Review 9,2(2007):1–27.Google Scholar
Boyatzis, E.E. Transforming Qualitative Information: Thematic Analysis and Code Development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1998.Google Scholar
Hardaker, J.B., Huirne, R.B.M., and Anderson, J.R. Coping with Risk in Agriculture. Oxon, UK: CAB International, 1997.Google Scholar
Harwood, J., Heifner, R., Coble, K., Perry, J., and Soma, A. waru. “Managing Risk in Farming: Concepts, Research, and Analysis.” Agricultural Economic Report 774. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 1999.Google Scholar
Hurley, T., Kliebenstein, J., Orazem, P., and Miller, D. “Nationwide Survey of Employees and Producers: A 15-Year Summary.” A Special Report by National Hog Farmer (June 15 2005):E3–30.Google Scholar
Kitzinger, J., and Barbour, R.S. “Introduction: The Challenge and Promise of Focus Groups.” Developing Focus Group Research: Politics, Theory and Practice. Barbour, R.S. and Kitzinger, J., eds., pp. 1–20. London: Sage, 1999.Google Scholar
Krueger, R.A., and Casey, M.A. Focus Groups: A Practical Guide for Applied Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2000.Google Scholar
Millward, L.J. “Focus Groups.” Research Methods in Psychology. Breakwell, G.M., Hammond, S. and Fife–Schaw, C., eds., pp. 303–24. London: Sage, 2000.Google Scholar
Morgan, D.L. “Focus Groups.” Annual Review of Sociology 22(1996):129–52.Google Scholar
Mugera, A.W., and Bitsch, V. “Labor on Dairy Farms: A Resource-Based Perspective with Evidence from Case Studies.” International Food and Agribusiness Management Review 8(July 2005):79–98.Google Scholar
Musser, W.N., and Patrick, G.F. “How Much Does Risk Really Matter to Farmers?” A Comprehensive Assessment of the Role of Risk in U.S. Agriculture. Just, R.E. and Pope, R.D., eds., pp. 537–56. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2002.Google Scholar
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-National Agricultural Statistics Service. 2002 Census of Agriculture. Available at http://www.nass.usda.gov/Census_of_Agriculture.Google Scholar