A modernização de pequenos estabelecimentos rurais na produção de leite sob a perspectiva da teoria das redes

Abstract

This research investigated the rural modernization of small establishment that produces milk in the cities of Jaciara and Juscimeira, under a perspective of the theory of Granovetter (1973), Burt (1992) and Merton (1970). As a general hypothesis, it’s suggested that social networks provide information that results in the modernization of the rural establishment. A quantitative approach was used using the Gephi software; exploratory research and observation as qualitative methods in network analysis. Primary data were collected through reports from 32 producers, and the 2017 agricultural census was used as a secondary data to compare general aspects of milk production in the two cities. It was concluded that more modern establishments were founded in Jaciara’s network. There was a greater structural hole in the Jaciara’s network, which may reveal the reason for the higher level of modernization. However, social networks alone were not enough to justify the difference between modernization and functional ones, as there are more and less moderns in the two cities. In addition, other little explored variables are needed, such as the partner's participation in the production, another incomes, the succession by the children, etc. Later studies will be able to investigate the relationship between the rural modernization of the small milk producer with social actors far from the rural environment.