Stakeholder Interests and Influences in the Merger of Community Farms

An Analysis with Meeting Minutes of Negotiation Process

Abstract

The merger of community farms is expected to become an increasingly significant strategy for addressing the shortage of farm successors and sustaining regional agriculture. Nevertheless, the merger process is recognized a major impediment to successful mergers and there is a paucity of research specifically focused on community farms. To address this gap, this study analyzes merger negotiations by drawing on meeting minutes, conducts a stakeholder analysis focusing on stakeholders’ interests and influence, and examines the coordination of interests required to achieve consensus. The findings suggest that successful agreement requires both the acceptance of potential disadvantages to members arising from changes in management strategy and the prioritization of younger employees’ perspectives.