“What’s Good for the Bees Will Be Good for Us!”—A Qualitative Study of the Factors Influencing Beekeeping Activity

Aliz Feketéné Ferenczi (), István Szűcs and Andrea Bauerné Gáthy
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Aliz Feketéné Ferenczi: Institute of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
István Szűcs: Institute of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Andrea Bauerné Gáthy: Institute of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Str. 138, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-20

Abstract: Beekeepers play a crucial role in the survival of honey bee populations, so it is essential to understand the drivers behind their activities. This qualitative study aims to explore the factors influencing beekeepers’ decision-making and to assess the relationship between beekeepers and their bees, to identify the relationship between them by building a theoretical model, and to assess the perception of pollination services as a potential source of income diversification among Hungarian beekeepers. Based on the grounded theory method, we created a paradigm model of beekeeping management based on semi-structured interviews with beekeepers in Hungary. In the analysis of the interviews, we first used open coding to develop categories according to the concepts used by the beekeepers, and then structured and linked these categories (axial coding). Finally, we identified the most relevant main categories (selective coding) and outlined the conceptual framework for beekeeping management. We mapped the strategies and beekeeping practices beekeepers use and the consequences they generate. The results show that several causal conditions influence beekeeping decisions and strategies. In an environment where beekeepers’ costs are increasing and their incomes are decreasing while implementing adaptation strategies, more targeted measures are needed to protect bees and increase beekeepers’ profitability.

Keywords: beekeeping management; decision-making; grounded theory; honey bees; human–bee relationship; Hungary (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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