Exploring the Relationship between collaboration and farmers' satisfaction at work

Abstract

The concept of sustainable development involves three main dimensions: economic development, environmental sustainability and social sustainability. Some researchers argue that the first two dimensions cannot be achieved without ensuring social sustainability. In spite of this, little attention has been paid to this side of sustainable development. Recent research suggests that a way to achieve social sustainability is by means of collaboration, because it improves social conditions, allowing farmers to increase satisfaction at work. Satisfaction at work, in turn, can motivate farmers to adopt environmental practices. In this context, collaboration is seen as a social activity. The aim of this article is to extend this research and to investigate whether collaboration seen as an economic activity may also influence farmers’ satisfaction at work. The material and methods adopted for this purpose correspond to primary data obtained from a questionnaire and processed by means of the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Methodology. The results revealed that farmers’ participation in collaborative alliances helps them to achieve economic targets such as reducing costs and obtaining higher prices for their production. This in turn positively affects satisfaction at work in terms of farming life and enjoyment. It is concluded, therefore, that collaboration and farmers’ satisfaction at work not only has to be linked to a sociological dimension but also to an economic one. These dimensions complement each other and offer new possible strategies for policymakers.