A Systematic Conceptualization of Farm Management

Research investigations oriented toward the measurement and prediction of farm managerial ability have progressed slowly. Inadequate handling of the criterion problem (what is good or successful farm management) has been a serious deterrent in the conduct of such research. Since every farm manager may be considered successful if evaluated with respect to his own values and goals, it is important to understand how these values and goals relate to the management of the farm firm. The use of a social-systems model as described in this article suggests a systematic way of handling the criterion problem. The farm firm is viewed as a subsystem of the farm family, which has certain values, goals, and other resources. The inflows and outflows across the boundaries of the farm-family and the farm-firm systems affect the success of the farm firm. The use of a social-systems model which makes explicit the kinds of interchanges between systems promotes systematic measurement of the various aspects of managerial behavior. Adequate measuring devices, in turn, will permit the selection of individuals with the most promise of being economically successful farm managers.