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

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

农场继承是一项由继承人与农场协同筹备、以契合家族企业发展预期的社会性建构过程。本研究旨在探究社会资本（Social Capital, SC）、吸收能力（Absorptive Capacity, AC）与社会经济特征对农场继承的影响机制。本研究以82名巴西大豆与玉米种植户为抽样对象开展问卷调查，问卷量表涵盖社会经济特征、吸收能力与社会资本三大维度。为检验吸收能力、社会资本与社会经济特征对农场继承的影响，本研究采用斯皮尔曼相关系数（Spearman correlation coefficient, rs）开展分析。研究结果显示，吸收能力可通过对外部知识的获取、同化、应用与转化，并将其融入决策环节，助力继承人的遴选，进而对农场继承产生影响。此外，研究结果表明社会资本在构建关系网络、激发讨论以及支持继承人任命方面发挥着关键作用。家庭农场收入占家庭总收入的比重、参与课程与讲座的情况以及合作社成员身份等社会经济特征，均与农场继承呈现显著正相关关系。与外部知识吸收能力、社会与符号资本以及代际传承相关的各类议题，均为家族农业经营实现可持续存续的核心支撑要素。