Employment in Irish dairy production: a narrative analysis of employers and employees’ experiences in an expanding industry

Abstract

As dairy production on Irish farms increases and there is an increased demand for labor, a shift from traditional family centric employment structures to an increased dependency on hired labor outside the family is occurring. This paper presents the results of a multi-disciplinary study on farm management and dairy production from a social science perspective. In-depth narrative interviews were conducted with six employers (ER) and seven employees (EE) to explore their farm employment experiences. Three theoretical lenses (psychological contract, agency theory, and pluralist frame) were used to generate themes from the narratives in the development of a conceptual model delineating the key factors that influence employment relations. The conceptual framework includes ‘foundational aspects’ and competencies that influence employees’ and employers’ farm employment experiences. Foundational aspects are shaped by past experiences and personal growth, underpinning how farm employment is experienced by employers and employees. Competencies such as effective communication and task delegation influenced how a sense of trust and fairness were experienced and determined how the expectations of both employers and employees were met in farm employment. The conceptual model offers a clear framework demonstrating how these elements interact to shape a constructive environment for actors involved in farm employment and is of interest to policymakers and initiatives supporting farm employment in agriculture.