Sucessão e teoria do comportamento planejado: o estado da arte e a intenção de potenciais sucessores em se tornarem produtores rurais

Abstract

Society changes leaded urban areas to major modernization. In contrast, depopulation of rural areas in many countries and the ageing of farmers’ population are in evidence. The farm succession process gets attention in the academy and at the firms, because it means the continuity of the rural activities, food production and family tradition. However, when there’s no potential successor, the farm may face its decline. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) can be applied to understand potential successors’ intention to become farmers. Therefore, the objective of this research is to analyze the state of art of thematic in the world and the application of the Theory of Planned Behavior in potential farm successors of Brazil. With the integrative review, it was possible to identify that the TPB and farm succession process state of art, pointing out the variables and the theme implication at Brazil and the whole world. These themes are being discussed most in Europe and North America, and therefore these topics have been not explored in Brazil. The TPB is most linked to environmental issues and the succession process linked to topic concerns, like family issues, conflicts, family participation and business transfer. With a sample of 227 potential farm successors in Brazil, it was possible to identify the psychological factors that influence over their intention of becoming a farmer. The results show that potential successors are influenced their positive evaluations of becoming a farmer (attitude); by their perception of the social pressure upon them to become farmers (Subjective Norm); by their perceptions of their own capacity in taking over the farm (Perceived Behavioral Control); by the feeling of becoming a farmer (Moral Norm); and by the engagement at the farm activity (SelfIdentity). Brazil scientific scenario had not showed remarkable and significant studies on TPB and succession process. Besides, public policies are needed to contribute at the process and to keep the successors in farm.