Factors influencing the envorinmental engagement of dairy farmers
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2020-09-02
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en
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Dutch dairy farmers are currently under pressure to decrease the emission of greenhouse gasses on their farm. Yet, this pressure has not yet proven to impact farmers’ environmental sustainability. Literature on what drives companies to implement environmental management practices has mainly focused on large companies, while there is little knowledge on smaller companies like farms. This study creates an understanding of what factors play a role in environmental behaviour of Dutch dairy farms. Using semi-structured interviews, eight conventional dairy farmers and eight organic dairy farmers from the most northern province of the Netherlands were interviewed with regards to the implementation of environmental management practices. The results showed that next to internal- and external drivers, there are barriers holding farmers back from implementation of environmental management practices, even though they might be willing to implement them. One of the important barriers seems to be the costs associated with the implementation. The results suggest environmental behaviour mainly depends on the willingness to act, but this relationship is mediated by the barrier that holds farmers back from implementation. To increase farmers’ adherence to the pressure to become more environmentally sustainable, governments could focus on awareness, financial attractiveness, and farmers’ involvement in policy making.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen