JOURNAL OF APPLIED BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
From Individual Farms to Agriholdings: Methodological Implications.
An Explorative Regional Case Study in East Germany
Author(s): Lutz Laschewski, Andreas Tietz, Ekaterina Zavyalova
Citation: Lutz Laschewski, Andreas Tietz, Ekaterina Zavyalova, (2020) "From Individual Farms to Agriholdings: Methodological Implications. An Explorative Regional Case Study in East Germany," Journal of Applied Business and Economics, Vol. 22, Iss.7, pp. 68-82
Article Type: Research paper
Publisher: North American Business Press
Abstract:
Agricultural economics and policy planning make use of—and rely on—agricultural statistics. Individual agricultural firms, as they are represented in statistical systems, are usually treated as independent economic decision-makers. Our paper investigates the impacts of agriholding structures on statistical and economic parameters. Therefore, the paper will draw on the empirical evidence generated in a local case study in seven communities in northeast Germany.
It is argued that cross-regional investors systematically “assemble” agriholdings based on their overall business strategy. If large holding structures exist, then the individual business perspective may create a flawed representation of farm structures.