Successful Climate Change Strategies in Corporate Farming in North America

Successful Climate Change Strategies in Corporate Farming in North America by DeAnn Renee’ Reaves MBA, Regis University, 2000 BS, Colorado State University, 1986 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University June 2018 Abstract The impact of climate change on agriculture is evident in changing growing seasons, crop yield, crop quality, and even complete crop losses. Changing climate conditions negatively affect the profitability of agricultural organizations. This study was a single descriptive case of one agricultural corporation in the western United States. The purpose was to identify and explore successful climate change-based sustainability strategies. The conceptual framework for this study was legitimacy theory. The data collection methods consisted of a semistructured interview of a corporate exectutive and obtaining corporate documents, including the annual report from the company’s website. Data were analyzed using content analysis and principal themes were identified by reexamining and resorting the data into various categories. The findings indicated that the farm’s sustainability strategy was based on the the basic qualities of successful sustainability strategies of corporate social responsibility, triple-bottom-line thinking, and systems thinking. Specific themes in terms of climate change-based sustainability strategies were mitigation-oriented strategies, and adaptation-oriented strategies. The distinctive approaches related to climate change mitigation that were identified were reducing carbon emissions, reducing fertilizer/herbicide use, and reducing the use of pesticides. The specific adaptation approaches identified were water conservation, soil enhancements, and diversity in business endeavors. Implications for social change include the advancement of climate change strategies within agricultural organizations to provide for increased food security and decreased danger of starvation and malnutritionThe impact of climate change on agriculture is evident in changing growing seasons, crop yield, crop quality, and even complete crop losses. Changing climate conditions negatively affect the profitability of agricultural organizations. This study was a single descriptive case of one agricultural corporation in the western United States. The purpose was to identify and explore successful climate change-based sustainability strategies. The conceptual framework for this study was legitimacy theory. The data collection methods consisted of a semistructured interview of a corporate exectutive and obtaining corporate documents, including the annual report from the company’s website. Data were analyzed using content analysis and principal themes were identified by reexamining and resorting the data into various categories. The findings indicated that the farm’s sustainability strategy was based on the the basic qualities of successful sustainability strategies of corporate social responsibility, triple-bottom-line thinking, and systems thinking. Specific themes in terms of climate change-based sustainability strategies were mitigation-oriented strategies, and adaptation-oriented strategies. The distinctive approaches related to climate change mitigation that were identified were reducing carbon emissions, reducing fertilizer/herbicide use, and reducing the use of pesticides. The specific adaptation approaches identified were water conservation, soil enhancements, and diversity in business endeavors. Implications for social change include the advancement of climate change strategies within agricultural organizations to provide for increased food security and decreased danger of starvation and malnutrition of people in underdeveloped areas. Successful Climate Change Strategies in Corporate Farming in North America by DeAnn Renee’ Reaves MBA, Regis University, 2000 BS, Colorado State University, 1986 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University June 2018 Dedication I am dedicating this study to my grandson Marley, my granddaughter Santana (Tana), my grandson Samuel, and my future grandchildren. This study was a labor of love. Acknowledgment I would like to first acknowledge the Lord for blessing us with the care of his planet and Jesus Christ my Savior for being right beside me in my darkest hours. Without the strength of my Lord and my faith, I would not have made it through this. All honor and glory are His and His alone. I would like to recognize my family-particularly my husband and son-who had to adapt to our changed schedule for a considerable length of time. I am certain I missed a part of my son’s growing up due to this endeavor. Recognition also goes out to my father who is the only person in my life that took the time to read my work. I also appreciate the help of friends and angels I have met along the way at Walden who truly made this process easier and encouraged me, particularly Melanie Kilian and Erin Fogle. Friends who were willing to listen were so appreciated on this journey, especially near the end – and I am sure you know who you are. Appreciation also goes out to my committee chair, Dr. William Stokes, and second committee member, Dr. Jaime Klein, and all other reviewers of this work. I would also like to wholeheartedly acknowledge all those people who did not understand and did not support me because it was you and my God-given stubborn nature that fed my curiosity, concern, and perseverance. I would also like to recognize all the people who constantly asked if I was done with my doctorate yet – to which I can finally say I am done, but I am just beginning. This is the foundation of what I hope is a dedicated effort to make a difference through spreading the truth. It is always easier to deny the existence of a problem than to face it head on and to be someone who makes changes for the betterment of the world.