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AI Summary of Peer-Reviewed Research

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Women’s roles on family farms shape farm succession in Germany

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A blonde woman in a blue plaid shirt and quilted vest tends to a tray of seedlings or small plants at what appears to be a farm or garden structure, with an older man visible in the background.
Research area:Business, Management and AccountingFamily Business Performance and SuccessionSuccession planning

What the study found

Women who married into German family farms were found to follow recurring cultural scripts: industriousness, taking over farm work, taking over care work, and subordination. These patterns shaped how they experienced the upcoming transfer of the farm to the next generation.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that applying the idea of cultural scripts to farm succession offers a new perspective on women’s role in agriculture. The study suggests these scripts are linked to intergenerational conflicts, emotional strain, and the possibility of change from one generation to the next.

What the researchers tested

The researchers observed farm transfer seminars that prepare family farm incumbents for transferring the farm. They also interviewed farm advisors and succession consultants, and analyzed the observation notes and interview data using both inductive and deductive approaches.

What worked and what didn't

The analysis identified four scripts women adopted after marrying into a family farm: industriousness, farm work, care work, and subordination. The findings indicate that many women experienced physical and mental strain and an unmet need for recognition and appreciation, and many felt anxious about losing their role and identity during farm transfer.

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not describe specific study limits beyond its focus on family farms in Germany and on women who married into those farms. The summary provided does not include sample sizes, detailed participant characteristics, or broader generalizability claims.

Key points

  • The study identifies four scripts for women on German family farms: industriousness, farm work, care work, and subordination.
  • These scripts shaped women’s experiences of farm succession and the upcoming transfer to the next generation.
  • The authors say the approach offers a new perspective on women’s role in agriculture.
  • The findings indicate physical and mental strain, plus an unmet need for recognition and appreciation.
  • Many women were anxious about losing their role and identification during farm transfer.

Disclosure

Research title:
Women’s roles on family farms shape farm succession in Germany
Publication date:
2026-02-24
DOI:
10.1108/jfbm-08-2025-0229
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: AI provenance information is not available for this post.