Browsing by Subject "Genossenschaft"

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Akzeptanz, Status quo und Entwicklung der Digitalisierung entlang der genossenschaftlichen agro-food Wertschöpfungskette
(2022) Munz, Jana; Doluschitz, Reiner
Within the first subject area (I. Status quo and development of digitalization in German agriculture) in one publication presented in this dissertation, the model of Porter and Heppelmann (2014) was taken up and further developed to empirically capture the status quo of digitization in German agriculture. Using a cluster analysis, the farmers participating in the survey could be assigned to two specific development stages. 58.2 % of the respondents were assigned to the second development stage of "users of smart products". 41.8 % of the respondents could be classified as "users of smart, connected products", among whom the use of complex systems that connect individual mechanical and electrical components are particularly widespread. Thus, it could be determined that German farms have not yet reached the level of "smart farming" and also not the level of "product systems". The nature of the use of FMIS in terms of widespread use of web-based applications, automatic digital data entry and, above all, the use of universal data standards were identified within the study as the greatest obstacles on the way to achieving "smart farming". Digitzation is also presented as a prerequisite for future economic performance and survival for cooperatives, with rural cooperatives in particular facing increasing competitive pressure due to structural change processes, ongoing transformation processes through digitization and the emergence of new competitors. According to the current state of knowledge, the topic of digitization in rural cooperatives has not been examined yet and is now, for the first time, the focus of scientific studies within the second subject area of this dissertation (II. Acceptance, status quo and development of rural cooperatives in the context of digitization). Two publications first shed light on the determinants of acceptance factors for the use of digital technologies among rural cooperatives. The first study presented here is based on the identification and analysis of acceptance factors regarding the use of internet-based information systems (IS) along the cooperative value chain of the red meat industry from the perspective of farmers or members/customers of a livestock marketing cooperative. Three benefit-generating factors regarding the expected use of internet-based IS could be identified as valid acceptance factors: the support in documentation and an obligatory exchange of data towards administrative bodies (B2A); the inter-farm data exchange between farmer and livestock marketing company/slaughterhouse (B2B); the function of integrating external data into the IS. Another study focuses on the intermediary level of German agricultural trade and commodity cooperatives from the perspective of the managing directors, with the three acceptance factors relating to the expected use of digital technologies in the business areas of procurement and logistics, customer/member management, and marketing being identified as having a beneficial effect. Personnel and financial factors as well as strategic and operational factors were identified as the greatest challenge on the way to implementing digital technologies. Opportunities arising from membership of the cooperative network therefore need to be exploited in a targeted manner to address challenges and jointly mitigate risks. Overall, it was possible to demonstrate that there is an "attitudinal acceptance" of the introduction of digital technologies at the level of primary production and the intermediate level of agricultural trade and commodity cooperatives. In the course of the analyses, the determinant of the size of the cooperative or farm could be attributed as a positive influence on the acceptance of digital technologies. The final paper presented as part of this dissertation makes a contribution with regard to identifying the status quo of digital technology adoption in agricultural trade and commodity cooperatives and derives opportunities for a digital differentiation for these cooperatives. Based on a cluster analysis, the cooperatives could be assigned to the cluster of "Basic Adopters" (n=48) and "Advanced service-oriented Adopters" (n=18). Against the backdrop of ongoing cut-throat competition and the findings obtained in the present studies, it is recommended that agricultural trade cooperatives consider an individually tailored differentiation strategy and, to this end, build up concrete digital competencies with an increased service orientation in order to adapt their business model or business processes to current industry developments.
Die Bedeutung von Werten in Genossenschaften und deren Umsetzung : eine empirische Analyse
(2015) Hill, Sebastian; Doluschitz, Reiner
In this dissertation, we aimed to clarify what values are considered as typical for cooperatives in theory and practice, how the values are applied and realized in practice, and what are their functions and potentials. In the first step, a comprehensive analysis of relevant literature on a national and international level was used to identify which values are seen, in theory, as cooperative-specific values. Based on the results of the literature analysis, a questionnaire was developed and the branch, the size and age of the cooperative as well as the status of the respondents were defined as influencing factors. The questionnaire was sent as a digital quantitative survey to one manager in each of the 844 existing cooperatives in the Baden-Württemberg study region. As a second step, a written (postal) survey was conducted, involving a total of 3,552 members and 707 employees from two Cooperative Banks and Raiffeisen Cooperatives and three Commercial Cooperatives. The evaluation results of the database (from primary and secondary data) show that in scientific literature, cooperative values’ core is described as one that includes the values of democracy, self-help, solidarity, self-responsibility, voluntariness, equality and justice. Some of these values were also mentioned in the results of the empirical survey, whereas the cooperative managers tended to list general values such as reliability, sustainability and fairness, as typical for cooperatives. However, it can be shown that the traditional values still have significant and implicit influence on the legal form of registered cooperatives, and that the previously defined influencing factors have a strong effect on the relevant central values. Although differences could be found between the perception and implementation of cooperative values, a conscious and purposeful communication strategy can have a decisive influence here. The hidden functions and potentials of cooperative values are undisputed in practice, such as the functions of identity and foundation of trust, or discrimination against other types. In addition, the survey shows that in the minds of the managers, members and workers, the cooperative values have social and economic potentials as well as potentials for the marketing of the cooperatives. In summary, it can be said, that the cooperative values are a unique instrument for the cooperatives to promote the legal from of registered cooperatives. It is therefore important to recognize and exploit these potentials to gain a sustainable and successful future not just for the cooperative sector, but also for the whole German society.
Kooperative Lösungsansätze zur Begegnung der Herausforderungen der Daseinsvorsorge im ländlichen Raum
(2019) Adams, Isabel; Doluschitz, Reiner
In the context of social, (infra-)structural, agricultural and demographic change, new challenges are emerging for rural areas. Demographic change especially impacts on smaller communities without an efficient infrastructure (IREUS 2011, p. 64 f.). One central challenge that affects all areas of life is the nationwide provision of public services. Based on the challenges of providing public services on a nationwide basis, an approach already practised in some locations was analysed and further developed. Observations, infomation and statistical records from the past decade indicate that the wide-ranging tasks involved in providing public services are partially performed by cooperatives (cf. BLOME-DREES et al. 2015; DOLUSCHITZ et al. 2013a; GOESCHEL 2012, p. 51; KLEMISCH and BODDEN-BERG 2012, p. 570; Kluth 2017; MARTENS 2012, p. 145; MÜNKNER 2012, p. 332; STAPPEL 2016, p. 66) with the aim of addressing specific local problems (HAUNSTEIN and THÜRLING 2017, p. 2). Due to the lack of a basis of specifically required secondary data, a comprehensive data set was collected throughout Germany that enables analysis of the specific details and background to the emergence of newly-founded public service cooperatives. The results obtained confirm the background to these foundations as described in the literature, such as the desire for an appropriate infrastructure, regional deficits (BLOME-DREES et al. 2015, p. 134), threats to the infrastructure, social challenges (cf. WIEG 2016, p. 78) and specific local and regional problems (HAUNSTEIN and THÜRLING, 2017, p. 2). However, an analysis of the underlying the establishment of cooperatives also provides fresh, supplementary findings. On the one hand, further goals reflect a charitable purpose such as the creation of social points of contact, while on the other hand there are efforts to organise further training programmes, for example, based on the wishes/initiative of like-minded individuals. About two thirds of the responding public service cooperatives, especially in rural areas, are creating a new scheme for both members and non-members. Approximately one third of the public service cooperatives analysed aim to maintain or reactivate existing facilities and services that risk being discontinued or where discontinuation has already occurred as a result of various challenges. A second aspect of this dissertation relating to public services is the digitisation of the agricultural and food sectors. All in all, a heterogeneous pattern emerges with regard to digitisation along the value chain. As a result, the companies analysed are divided into pioneers, newcomers and followers. User structures were analysed by means of a survey among practising farmers that focused on the use of e-commerce structures when purchasing agricultural resources. These structures proved to be independent of age, farm size, location and farm orientation. On the basis of the surveys, time benefits were identified as the main source of motivation behind the procurement of resources through e-commerce channels, which contradicts the cost benefits described in the literature (cf. CLASEN 2005, p. 54 f.).
Operationalisierung von Werten in Genossenschaften
(2020) Breuning, Senta; Doluschitz, Reiner
Values have gained in relevance due to their importance to individuals as well as to companies, as they are used, among other things, for orientation and identity formation. This is true for society as a whole, but especially for the structure of cooperatives. Against this background, the present cumulative dissertation will first of all establish an intersection of social (individual values) and cooperative (company values) values. For this purpose, numerous representative social value studies were analysed and a comprehensive national and international analysis of the cooperative scientific literature was collected. The aim of the intersection was to analyse a common denominator of individual and company values in order to be able to conduct an empirical survey based on fundamental values of society and cooperatives. The result of the two analyses was an intersection of 16 values, which serve as a basis for the quantitative empirical survey along a structured questionnaire. In the further course of the present dissertation it was clarified what German society knows about cooperatives and their principles and values. As differentiating factors, individual determinants such as gender, generation, federal states and cooperative branches have been analysed comparatively. In principle, a clear majority of German society has heard the term cooperatives before. However, the cooperative values and principles are much less known than the term cooperative itseld. The lack of knowledge about the term "cooperative" as well as about the cooperative values and principles is mainly found among women and the younger generations Y and Z. Contrary to the expectations, no differences are discernible with regard to the degree of familiarity with the term cooperative and its values and principles in an East-West comparison of the federal states. However, the level of awareness of cooperatives and their values and principles depends on the cooperative sector. Therefore, it can be concluded that the test persons who are familiar with the field of cooperative banks have heard the term cooperative more often and are more familiar with the cooperative principles and values than the test persons who are more acquainted with commercial or rural cooperatives. Furthermore, it should be noted that members of cooperatives are better informed about the term cooperative and its values and principles than the general German population. While the social values represent the individual values of German society and are classified as "important" to "very important", the cooperative values are the company values which are perceived by society as "less important". When listing the individual and company values, it becomes clear that the sequences are not identical and that the mean values differ considerably. Freedom is the most important individual value, whereas freedom comes last in the company values. Meanwhile, solidarity is the most important company value, which is nevertheless ranked 12th in the list of individual values. Other interesting differences, but also similarities, such as in the value of security, can be found in the rankings of the individual and company values. In general, it is worth noting that women and the oldest age cohorts, i.e. the traditionalists, rate both individual and company values more important than men and the younger generations Y and Z. Against this background, cooperatives are faced with the decision of how they want to deal with the result, especially in the context of their strategic management. In this context, either the adaptation or the differentiation strategy is suitable with regard to the application of values. The adaptation strategy consciously communicates the values that the selected target group considers as important. The differentiation strategy explicitly communicates values that can be historically and branchspecifically associated with the individual cooperative. In addition to the challenge of value pluralism, which can be found in society as well as in cooperatives and their value communication, the heterogeneity of the membership structure and their value perception of corporate values poses an additional challenge for cooperatives. In order to operationalise values in the corporate culture of cooperatives, the membership structure should therefore be analysed on a case-by-case basis and the strategic orientation of the management should be chosen accordingly. In conclusion, it is important to note that values are considered abstract. However, when continuously applied in strategic management, as well as in precise and goaloriented communication, they represent an essential contribution to the corporate mission and vision. Thus, they can contribute a considerable share to the increase of positive perception and company success.
Socio-economic benefits and limitations of irrigated family farming in Brazil’s semi-arid region
(2016) Hagel, Heinrich; Doluschitz, Reiner
Seit jeher wird der semi-aride Nordosten Brasiliens von schwerwiegenden Dürren heimgesucht. Schriftliche Überlieferungen reichen bis in die Zeit der Kolonialisierung des Landes gegen Ende des 17. Jahrhunderts zurück. Gegen Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts begann Brasiliens Regierung mit dem Bau größerer Reservoirs, um den Bewässerungslandbau zur Sicherung der Lebensgrundlage der ländlichen Bevölkerung zu fördern. Erst jedoch die Errichtung zahlreicher Staudämme und Stauseen zur Elektrizitätsgewinnung seit den 1960er Jahren ermöglichte die großflächige Verbreitung der Bewässerungslandbaus, wie im Falle des Rio São Francisco, an dessen Mittellauf zahlreiche Bewässerungsgebiete etabliert wurden. Trotz einer positiven wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung und beachtlichen Fortschritten in der Armutsbekämpfung leben große Teile der Landbevölkerung weiterhin in prekären Verhältnissen. Ziel dieser Dissertation war zunächst eine detaillierte Analyse der vorhandenen landwirtschaftlichen Produktionssysteme und der sozio-ökonomischen Situation der Bewässerungslandbau betreibenden Familienbetriebe entlang des Mittellaufs des Rio São Francisco. Zudem wurden die natürlichen, wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Be-schränkungen sowie die Vorzüge des Bewässerungslandbaus identifiziert. Modelle einer effizienteren Ressourcennutzung wurden erstellt und bewertet. Mit Hilfe dieser Modelle wurde schließlich der Einfluss sich verändernder Produktions- und Rahmenbedingungen auf den Bewässerungslandbau evaluiert. Als Datengrundlage dien-ten die Ergebnisse aus 60 Experteninterviews und einer Farm-Haushaltsbefragung mit 193 zufällig ausgewählten kleinbäuerlichen Familienbetrieben, ergänzt durch Sekundärdaten. Zeitreihen wurden mittels Regressionsanalyse, qualitative Daten mittels Inhaltsanalyse und die Daten der Farm-Haushaltsbefragung mittels Regressionsanalyse und Varianzanalyse ausgewertet. Einzelbetriebliche Optimierungsmodelle zu einer effizienteren Ressourcennutzung wurden mit Hilfe von linearer Programmierung optimiert. Veränderte klimatische oder infrastrukturelle Rahmenbedingungen stellten sich als große Risikofaktoren für die Produktivität des kleinbäuerlichen Bewässerungslandbaus heraus. Bereits im Untersuchungszeitraum, einer Phase mit sehr hohen Erzeugerpreisen, erzielte knapp die Hälfte der interviewten Haushalte ein landwirtschaftliches Betriebseinkommen unterhalb des gesetzlichen Mindestlohns. Unzureichende Infrastruktur, mangelhafter Marktzugang, volatile und von Zwischenhändlern bestimmte Erzeugerpreise, mangelhafte Kooperation zwischen den Kleinbauern, exzessive Bewässerung und Ausbringung von Pflanzenschutzmitteln und schließlich man-gelhafte Erfahrung im intensiven Obst- und Gemüsebau wurden als wesentliche Be-schränkungen des kleinbäuerlichen Bewässerungslandbaus in der Studienregion identifiziert. Das Fehlen landwirtschaftlicher Beratung verschärfte viele dieser Probleme. Auf der anderen Seite waren eine geeignete Wahl der angebauten Kulturen und eine großzügigere Flächenausstattung die Hauptfaktoren für wirtschaftlichen Erfolg. Innovative, geschäftstüchtige Kleinbauern, darunter einige mit geringen verfügbaren Flächen, verdeutlichten dennoch das Potential des Bewässerungslandbaus zur Bekämpfung der ländlichen Armut in der Studienregion. Die Wiederaufnahme landwirtschaftlicher Beratung, kombiniert mit Bildungsangeboten zur Steigerung des Humankapitals insbesondere bezüglich landwirtschaftlicher Betriebslehre und Kooperati-onsformen zwischen Kleinbauern, kann wesentlich zu einer Verbesserung der landwirtschaftlichen Produktion und der Lebensbedingungen der ländlichen Bevölkerung in der Studienregion beitragen. Der exzessiven Bewässerung können ein volumetrischer Wasserpreis und die Förderung effizienterer Bewässerungsmethoden entgegenwirken.
The potential of rural cooperatives development in Albania : challenges and benefits
(2021) Sokoli, Olta; Doluschitz, Reiner
Promising but particularly challenging remains the agricultural sector in Albania even after almost three decades of transition and the collapse of communism regime. The country is located in a very strategic geographical area of Europe, tempting for centuries to its neighbors is struggling to find the way to promote the agriculture sector. On the other hand, the agriculture sector contributes to almost half of the employment in Albania and accounts for about one-fifth of the gross domestic product (ILO - International Labour Organisation, 2018). Roughly 60% is subsistence farming meaning that small and family farms with an average of 1.2 ha to 2 ha is the most common profile of the farmers (INSTAT, 2018). Combining this with the land fragmentation, for instance two or more rather small parcels per farm, geographically spread, generates a challenge for farmers. As a consequence of the land reform implemented in the early 1990s, in which state agricultural land was equally distributed to the rural population, which resulted in small and fragmented farms that hampered the growth and competitiveness of agriculture. Due to negative experience in the past, Albania, farmers tend to be hesitant to form or join organizations such as cooperatives, as in many other post communism regime countries. However, there are signs of change, as the first movements of cooperatives establishment have started, even though initiated by external factor such as international projects provided by GIZ, FAO and many other foreigner programs. The two major objectives of this research are: first to highlight the obstacles why farmers are hesitant to participate in cooperation even after three decades of regime change. Secondly, the benefits and the mechanisms to promote this movement, as well as the impact it might have in further development of agriculture in the country. Based on this observations and consecutive problematic this dissertation analyzes the potential of cooperative development in the following key issues: cooperatives evolution within the last decades, governmental institution supporting role in this movement, the factors that influence the willingness of farmers to or not to cooperate. The research has taken place in the main villages/areas of Lushnja and Fier district covering about 25% of the Albanian national milk/dairy cow per head (INSTAT, 2018). The research sample included 238 farmers involved in cow milk production who were selected randomly by the interviewers. The interviewed farmers were all personally involved in farm activities, including the production and sale of cow milk Furthermore, the findings show the importance of governmental institutions in the promotion and the support for the development of cooperatives. Their role is fundamental as they play the leading and managerial role of the policy implementation. Moreover, a particular importance has shown the indirect affect that local rules have on cooperation. From the findings, it emerges that the main and most noteworthy mechanism of how local rules affect willingness to cooperate is by constructing social capital. Without leaving apart the determinants of the local rules, trust, and leadership skills in cooperation taken individually and in relation to each other (Agrawal 2001, Ostrom 2009, Ostrom and Mc Ginhis 2014). Summarizing the above mentioned major findings and in conclusion, innovative initiatives is a process in itself that should be elaborated and supported broadly to deliver the importance it brings in the development of the farm or in the farmers organization such as cooperatives, without leaving aside the impact it might have in the community (Dossa and Kaeufer, 2014; Bocken et al., 2013; Weltzien, 2011). A challenging initiative does not make it not valuable and uncertain but should intrigue the community to incorporate new possibilities.
Verhaltensökonomische Aspekte in der strategischen Entwicklung von Mitgliederbeziehungen in ländlichen Genossenschaften
(2020) Jensen-Auvermann, Tessa Katharina; Doluschitz, Reiner
Due to ongoing processes of change, the frame conditions for rural cooperatives (coop) and their members are constantly changing. Change processes are of interest because they influence, among other things, the needs of people and, accordingly, business areas. The complexity of agricultural production is increasing in the course of these processes of change and, as a result, farmers have an increased need for knowledge and information in order to further develop their business. One form of organisation that supports its members, e.g. in the form of advice, is the registered association. Additionally, the competitive pressure on rural registered associations is increasing. In order to adapt to the changes in the agricultural economy, rural cooperatives make structural changes. In the course of the consolidation process in the cooperative sector, the heterogeneity of employees and members increases on the one hand and on the other hand, there can be a loss of trust between the organ company and the cooperative member. As a consequence, the commitment and loyalty of the member with regard to his or her coop may decrease. Against the background of the described transformations (pressure of adaptation and innovation from German farmers and the consolidation process in the cooperative sector) and their strategic importance for the agricultural and food sector as well as the view, that cooperative research is an application-oriented science, the present dissertation aims to answer rural coop practice-relevant questions within the framework of their membership management. Thus, a transfer of knowledge from research to practice can be enabled and a sustainable development of rural cooperatives can be promoted. Consequently, the following research questions (rq) were addressed on the basis of New Institutional Economics, behavioural economic approaches and with the help of analytical tests, such as the Mann and Whitney U-test, and regression analyses: rqi: What do members of rural cooperatives understand by the quality of service provided by their cooperative? rqii: How can relationships of trust between members and employees in rural cooperatives be shaped successfully? rqiii: What member value can cooperatives provide for the development of rural regions? The studies listed in this cumulative dissertation are increasingly based on data sets that were collected in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg using quantitative survey instruments such as written questionnaires in the period 2016 to 2017. Among others, the MemberValue model is applied. Here, the effectiveness of the specific funding mandate of the respective coop is analysed by applying it. The different samples of the studies accompanying this dissertation are composed of employees, members and leading members of community oriented and a rural coop. Employees represent a necessary factor for the fulfilment of member satisfaction and loyalty. According to the current knowledge of the author, the member-employee relationship in the latter rural coop was therefore examined in more detail for the first time. This cumulative dissertation provides new insights for the inner-organizational understanding of coop in the German-speaking area - especially with regard to soft factors such as participation, trust and satisfaction.
Wandel des Unternehmertums in der Landwirtschaft
(2016) Gindele, Nicola; Doluschitz, Reiner
The starting point for this cumulative thesis is the continuously advancing structural shift in agriculture and its upstream and downstream sectors. The first section of the thesis discusses the challenges faced by agriculture as a result of structural and demographic change. The thesis focuses on the shift in entrepreneurship in agriculture. It analyses to what extent there is a shift and the consequences that it has for the managers of agricultural businesses. Its impact on the availability of qualified agricultural workers is assessed in relation to the demographic change in the population. The studies reveal a strong dependence between business success and the ability of a farmer to act in an entrepreneurial manner, among other things caused by advancing structural change and increasingly liberalised agricultural markets. At the same time the farm managers remit is changing in line with economic growth and technical advances. Organisational and managerial tasks are growing in importance, while practical, hand-on tasks are relatively declining. The demands on farm managers increase as farms grow, greater technology is used and farms tend to specialise, and the requirements governing the qualification of permanently employed external workers also become stricter. It becomes clear that there are differences specific to particular regions and between individual farms when it comes to the professional qualifications of workers. In terms of the search for workers, there are particular problems today relating to the recruitment of specialist employees, while workers for simple auxiliary tasks are easier to find. Against the background of an emerging skills shortage, farm managers are called upon to analyse more closely their own management style and personnel management tools, such as non-material incentive systems, to offer their employees an attractive and pleasant long-term working environment. The second part of the thesis examines the challenges for rural cooperatives emanating from the structural change in agriculture. Cooperatives are the proven partners of agriculture, both in terms of the provision of equipment and the concentration and marketing of agricultural products, as well as the related improved market positioning of farmers. The thesis examines member management, in particular member retention, using the example of purchasing and sales cooperatives, as well as fruit and wine cooperatives, as there has been a sharp decrease in the number of members of the affected cooperatives in recent years. Strategies to improve the market position of rural cooperatives are also outlined. The rural cooperatives need to adopt an end-to-end well thought-out customer relationship management approach to counteract steadily falling numbers of members. Communication with members plays a key role in this. End-to-end and continuous communication with members improves the exchange of information and knowledge, encourages members to participate to a greater extent in the self-government of the cooperative and strengthens the overall emotional ties to cooperatives. Cooperation can be intensified, product quality improved and member retention positively influenced by means of contractual agreements, possibly in the form of cultivation and sales contracts between members and their cooperative. Against the background of growing farms and the related rising demands on the qualifications of farm managers, expanding the existing services offered provides another possible starting point for improving relationships with members. Expanding the services offered by the farm makes sense particularly in relation to advisory services in business administration, business management and production technology. To secure their market position, cooperatives can adapt to changing market conditions and gain a competitive edge by adopting a strategy of cost leadership, differentiation or niche marketing. The combined implementation of these strategies often happens in practice. Mergers represent another common strategy for improving market position. The history of mergers of fruit cooperatives in South Tyrol shows that the intensive involvement of members in the merger process is vital for its success. Structural change in German agriculture therefore not only has consequences for the farmer as an entrepreneur. Rural cooperatives also need to respond to changes in agricultural business structures by adopting adaptation strategies specifically matched to the particular cooperative. The size of the company is not decisive when it comes tor the success of managing a cooperative or a farm. The success of the business depends much more on the individual farm manager or director, who needs to be able to recognise new potential and business opportunities in a dynamically changing environment and implement innovations to ideally position the business within the competitive market.