We investigated the resilience of small-scale family farms because of the contemporary importance of both the farms’ resilience and the role of these farms in five countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The authors addressed a research gap concerning cross-sectional research on the resilience of farms by combining determinants from various fields. Thus, the primary goal of this article was to identify microeconomic and political factors and links to markets that affect the resilience of small-scale family farms in Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania and Serbia. Using a database of over 3500 farms, the resilience of the farms was calculated, and then the impact of selected factors on that resilience was determined. The research showed that the production scale was the key determinant of the resilience of farms. To achieve higher benefits, increasing the production should be combined with strengthening the market integration of agricultural producers. The position of the producer in the food supply chain determined the income situation of the farm (economic stability). This shaped the quality of life of the family members (social stability). Identifying the effects of those dependencies may provide recommendations for the policy of supporting small-scale family farms in the analysed countries.
Distribution of agricultural products from the aspect of farms is a continuous issue. Efficient application of the distribution model should provide a farm owner with regular income, as well as with a competitive advantage. Assessment of distribution channels in the context of an agricultural producer is subject to multi-criteria decisions, including both qualitative and quantitative factors. The aim of this paper is to develop a model which enables a structured analysis and an efficient assessment of distribution channels. The methodology based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) will be a useful tool in setting various criteria for deciding on distribution channels, as well as a tool for managing a multi-variant qualitative assessment of data included in decision-making processes. The survey results show that the most important distribution channel for agricultural products is the channel of sales via processing plants (cooling and drying facilities, silos and agricultural combines), compared to sales through advertising (which significantly increased its share with the COVID-19 pandemic), sales through sales channels or at farmers’ markets.
The role of small farms in agricultural production is particularly important for less developed economies, with a high share of agriculture in GDP and a lower level of national income. These economies have a high share of small-scale farms in the total number of registered farms, measured by the size of an agricultural holding. The paper thoroughly analyses the distribution channels of the agricultural products of Moldova (MDA), Romania (ROM), and Serbia (SRB). The data sources for this analysis are taken from the survey conducted on 1 608 small-scale farms in the above-mentioned countries in 2019. The aim of the paper is to develop a model that could enable the structured analysis of distribution channels. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used for efficient assessment and as a criterion for choosing the most appropriate distribution channel. The results of the analysis show that small-scale farms mostly place their products in green markets and processing plants and that the quality and the price of agricultural products are the dominant criteria for the selection of a channel. The results of the applied model indicate that the model is stable and that small-scale farms can choose the optimal distribution channel by using this study.
The problem of unemployment is one of the key questions of every modern economy and one of the most important indicators of its erfficiency. A higher level of entrepreneurial interest and activities can be an important part of economic growth. However, most citizens, especially young people, are more oriented towards finding work in existing companies than starting their own business. Therefore, the primary goal of the research is better understanding of the interests of senior students at universities in Serbia, in terms of entrepreneurial careers and identifying the key factors that influence them. The study is based on a modification of social cognitive theory model, focusing primarily on the interests and goals of students in terms of entrepreneurship.
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