Valuing People

Project overview

The aims of this project are to:

  • quantify the contribution of people management to dairy farm business success; and
  • identify people management practices that most strongly contribute to successful dairy farming.

Research toward these aims may add to the business-case for farmers to focus attention on people management. It will help farm advisors and programs, such as The People in Dairy, to formulate their advice to farmers on this topic. More broadly, people management is recognised as being an area needing more study in small and family businesses (Kidwell & Fish, 2007), and this project should make a new contribution to the literature. The limited number of quantitative studies in SME literature has meant practical and methodological challenges in designing this research. The pilot phase provided an opportunity to refine these aspects before committing to a large sample. This report describes the development of a research design and tools, including questionnaires and recruitment protocols.

Progress to date

Pilot data collection is complete:

  • A brief literature review led to identification of concepts and a conceptual model for testing using quantitative research methods (the psychological contract in employment).
  • The model was validated in discussion with advisers and experts in dairy farm management and a research design developed.
  • Research tools have been completed including: recruitment protocols, and paper and on-line versions of questionnaires to measure subjective employer and employee understandings of their employment relationships.
  • The above tools have been pre-tested and refined with relevant samples.
  • Red Sky Agricultural and Timboon Vet group were contracted to collect data according to the protocols.

Whereas obtaining standardised profit data was considered to be the main constraint to the pilot phase, engaging farm business in being part of the research has been the most difficult aspect.

Outcomes targeted

The dairy industry is better able to articulate the benefits from improved people management in farming and has identified critical practices that contribute to farm performance.

Outputs

  • The methodology and tools for conducting the research have been developed.
  • Pilot data analysis is complete.
  • Statistically significant relationships were found between provision of growth opportunities for employees, engagement in work and employer work satisfaction.

A report is available and plans are underway to consider a trans‐tasman project in 2013–2014.

Project Duration

1 July 2010–30 June 2012

Research Group Leader/Key contact

Dr Rebecca Ford and A/Prof. Ruth Nettle

Contact details

A/Prof. Ruth Nettle
T: 03 8344 4581
E: ranettle@unimelb.edu.au

Partnership details

Dairy Australia