Employing a Transformative Learning Process for Promoting Sustainable Business Model through Organic Agriculture: A Case Study of the Sampran Riverside
Keywords:
transformative learning, sustainable business model, organic agriculture, agribusiness, SOOKJAI, ThailandAbstract
The recent increasing interest in organically produced food and awareness on the environment and health has induced to the promotion of organic agriculture business and practices throughout the world; as a result, the organic agricultural lands and related businesses are increasing significantly. In response, Asian organic production and business have established themselves in all regions of the world. In Thailand, it has received much importance as a start-up. The researchers selected the Sampran Riverside as a case, which is established on the pillar of traditional and cultural values of Thai society and promoting a successful sustainable business model through organic agriculture. The purpose of this study is to employ a transformative learning process to understand how and why Sampran Riverside and its stakeholder promoted a sustainable business model. The study used transformative learning theory to gain a better understanding (why) and to explain the phenomena (how). Data were collected through five methods, namely: a) direct observation, b) in-depth interview, c) secondary data, d) participating in the settings, and e) mysterious shopping. Fourteen participants were chosen purposefully with a maximum variation. The researchers used thematic analysis of the data and concluded with a SOOKJAI (Thai word) transformative learning process. The process with seven steps was discussed in the paper and recommended further research area. The findings of this study would help both organic agriculture-related businesses and its stakeholders to understand and implement the learning processes.
References
Asia One. (2017). Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau Unveils 2018 Marketing Campaign. Asia One. Retrieved from: http://www.asiaone.com/business/thailand-convention-and-exhibition-bureau-unveils-2018-marketing-campaign
Atiq, M., & Karatas-Ozkan, M. (2013). Sustainable corporate entrepreneurship from a strategic corporate social responsibility perspective: Current research and future opportunities. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 14(1), 5-14.
Barin Cruz, L., Ãvila Pedrozo, E., & de Fátima Barros Estivalete, V. (2006). Towards sustainable development strategies: a complex view following the contribution of Edgar Morin. Management Decision, 44(7), 871-891.
Batie, S. S. (2008). Wicked problems and applied economics.American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 90(5) 1176-1191.
Cision. (2016). TCEB Joins Hands with 13 Partners to Introduce Farm to Functions. Cision PR Newswire. Retrieved from: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tceb-joins-hands-with-13-partners-to-introduce-farm-to-functions-300238124.html
Clark, M. C. (1993). Transformational learning. New directions for adult and continuing education, 1993(57), 47-56.
Cranton, P. (1996). Professional Development as Transformative Learning: New Perspectives for Teachers of Adults. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Gauthier, L. (2017). Sustainable business strategies: typologies and future directions. Society and Business Review, Vol. 12 No. 1, 77–93. doi: 10.1108/sbr-01-2016-0005
Gracia, A., & de Magistris, T. (2008). The demand for organic foods in the South of Italy: A discrete choice model. Food Policy, 33(5), 386-396.
Hodge, I. (1993). Sustainability: putting principles into practice. An application to agricultural systems. Paper presented to Rural Economy and Society Study Group', Royal Holloway College.
Lans, T., Blok, V., & Wesselink, R. (2014). Learning apart and together: towards an integrated competence framework for sustainable entrepreneurship in higher education. Journal of Cleaner Production, 62, 37-47.
Lozano, R. (2012). Towards better embedding sustainability into companies’ systems: an analysis of voluntary corporate initiatives. Journal of Cleaner Production, 25, 14-26.
Lubin, D. A., & Esty, D. C. (2010). The sustainability imperative. Harvard business review, 88(5), 42-50.
Lüdeke-Freund, F. (2009). Business Model Concepts in Corporate Sustainability Contexts. In Rhetoric to a Generic Template for ‘Business Models for Sustainabilityâ€. Lüneburg: Center for Sustainability Management (CSM).
Luenguthai, P. (2015, December 6). Bliss Foundation rolls out organic initiative. The Nation.Retrievedfrom: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/%20Corporate/30274096
Mannion, A. M. (1995). Agriculture and Environmental Change: Temporal and Spatial Dimensions. Sussex: Wiley.
Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative Dimensions of Adult Learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Mezirow, J. (2000). Learning as Transformation: Critical Perspectives on a Theory in Progress. The Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Nancy, C., Denise, B., Alba, D., Jennifer B., & Alan, J. N. (2014). The Use of Triangulation in Qualitative Research. Oncology Nursing Forum, 41(5), 545-547. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1188/14.ONF.545-547
Nidumolu, R., Prahalad, C. K., & Rangaswami, M. R. (2009). Why sustainability is now the key driver of innovation. Harvard business review, 87(9), 56-64. doi: 10.1109/EMR.2015.7123233
Northbourne, L. (1940). Look to the Land. London: J. M. Dent.
Palma, L. C., & Pedrozo, E. Ã. (2016). Transformative learning to promote sustainability: inserting the third level of learning in management programs. Brazilian Journal of Science and Technology, 3(1), 9. DOI 10.1186/s40552-016-0018-3
Patrawart, J., & Sriurai, S. (2012). Value Networks: A Strong Strategic Intent for the Development of Co-operatives in Thailand. Retrieved from: http://www.cai.ku.ac.th/SAR56/2.2.3.7%20UK_paper_55.pdf
Roitner-Schobesberger, B., Darnhofer, I., Somsook, S., & Vogl, C. R. (2008). Consumer perceptions of organic foods in Bangkok, Thailand. Food policy, 33(2), 112-121. doi: org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2007.09.004
Rudnicka, A. (2016). Understanding Sustainable Business Models. Journal of Positive Management, 7(4) , 52-60.
Sahota, A. (2016). The global market for organic food & drink. The world of organic agriculture. Statistics and emerging trends, 2016, 133-138. Retrieved from: www.organic-world.net/yearbook/yearbook-2016.html.
Salzmann, O., Ionescu-Somers, A., & Steger, U. (2005). The business case for corporate sustainability: literature review and research options. European Management Journal, 23(1), 27-36.
Sampran Model. (2017). 23 November 2016 : Discover his Majesty’s Sufficiency Living Model at the Bliss Festival 2016. Retrieved from: http://sampranmodel.com/en/2017/02/23-november-2016-discover-majestys-sufficiency-living-model-bliss-festival-2016/
Sampran Riverside. (2017). Sampran Riverside: An eco-cultural destination since 1962. Retrieved from: http://sampranriverside.com/
Scofield, A. (1986). Biological Farming - The Origin of the Name. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture, 4(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 01448765.1986.9754481
Senge, P. (1990). The art and practice of the learning organization. The new paradigm in business: Emerging strategies for leadership and organizational change, 126-138.
Sriwichien, K., Kiratiboorana, Y., & Soungsaweng, W. (2013). The Fall, Existence and a Restoration Model of Community Bazaars along the Tha Chin River. Asian Social Science, 10(1), 257-264.
Sterling, S. (2011). Transformative learning and sustainability: Sketching the conceptual ground. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, 5(11), 17-33.
STISD.(2017).Sampran Riverside Farm.
Retrieved from: http://www.cmmu.mahidol.ac.th/test/stinsd/index.php/case-studies/sampran-riverside-farm
Teece, D. J. (2010). Business Models, Business Strategy and Innovation. Long Range Planning, 43(2-3), 172-194.
The Nation. (2016, December 4). A farm concept that empowers communities. The Nation. Retrieved from: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/%20Corporate/30301083
Wai, O. K. (2016). Organic Asia 2015. The World of Organic Agriculture Statistics and Emerging Trends 2016, 172. Retrieved from www.organic-world.net/yearbook/yearbook-2016.html.
Willer, H., & Lernoud, J. (2016). The world of organic agriculture. Statistics and emerging trends 2016 (pp. 1-336). Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL and IFOAM Organics International. Retrieved from: www.organic-world.net/yearbook/yearbook-2016.html
Willer, H., & Yussefi, M. (2011). L (2011) The World of Organic Agriculture. Statistics and Emerging Trends 2011. In FiBL-IFOAM Report. Bonn: IFOAM and Frick: FiBL.
Atiq, M., & Karatas-Ozkan, M. (2013). Sustainable corporate entrepreneurship from a strategic corporate social responsibility perspective: Current research and future opportunities. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 14(1), 5-14.
Barin Cruz, L., Ãvila Pedrozo, E., & de Fátima Barros Estivalete, V. (2006). Towards sustainable development strategies: a complex view following the contribution of Edgar Morin. Management Decision, 44(7), 871-891.
Batie, S. S. (2008). Wicked problems and applied economics.American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 90(5) 1176-1191.
Cision. (2016). TCEB Joins Hands with 13 Partners to Introduce Farm to Functions. Cision PR Newswire. Retrieved from: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tceb-joins-hands-with-13-partners-to-introduce-farm-to-functions-300238124.html
Clark, M. C. (1993). Transformational learning. New directions for adult and continuing education, 1993(57), 47-56.
Cranton, P. (1996). Professional Development as Transformative Learning: New Perspectives for Teachers of Adults. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Gauthier, L. (2017). Sustainable business strategies: typologies and future directions. Society and Business Review, Vol. 12 No. 1, 77–93. doi: 10.1108/sbr-01-2016-0005
Gracia, A., & de Magistris, T. (2008). The demand for organic foods in the South of Italy: A discrete choice model. Food Policy, 33(5), 386-396.
Hodge, I. (1993). Sustainability: putting principles into practice. An application to agricultural systems. Paper presented to Rural Economy and Society Study Group', Royal Holloway College.
Lans, T., Blok, V., & Wesselink, R. (2014). Learning apart and together: towards an integrated competence framework for sustainable entrepreneurship in higher education. Journal of Cleaner Production, 62, 37-47.
Lozano, R. (2012). Towards better embedding sustainability into companies’ systems: an analysis of voluntary corporate initiatives. Journal of Cleaner Production, 25, 14-26.
Lubin, D. A., & Esty, D. C. (2010). The sustainability imperative. Harvard business review, 88(5), 42-50.
Lüdeke-Freund, F. (2009). Business Model Concepts in Corporate Sustainability Contexts. In Rhetoric to a Generic Template for ‘Business Models for Sustainabilityâ€. Lüneburg: Center for Sustainability Management (CSM).
Luenguthai, P. (2015, December 6). Bliss Foundation rolls out organic initiative. The Nation.Retrievedfrom: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/%20Corporate/30274096
Mannion, A. M. (1995). Agriculture and Environmental Change: Temporal and Spatial Dimensions. Sussex: Wiley.
Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative Dimensions of Adult Learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Mezirow, J. (2000). Learning as Transformation: Critical Perspectives on a Theory in Progress. The Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Nancy, C., Denise, B., Alba, D., Jennifer B., & Alan, J. N. (2014). The Use of Triangulation in Qualitative Research. Oncology Nursing Forum, 41(5), 545-547. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1188/14.ONF.545-547
Nidumolu, R., Prahalad, C. K., & Rangaswami, M. R. (2009). Why sustainability is now the key driver of innovation. Harvard business review, 87(9), 56-64. doi: 10.1109/EMR.2015.7123233
Northbourne, L. (1940). Look to the Land. London: J. M. Dent.
Palma, L. C., & Pedrozo, E. Ã. (2016). Transformative learning to promote sustainability: inserting the third level of learning in management programs. Brazilian Journal of Science and Technology, 3(1), 9. DOI 10.1186/s40552-016-0018-3
Patrawart, J., & Sriurai, S. (2012). Value Networks: A Strong Strategic Intent for the Development of Co-operatives in Thailand. Retrieved from: http://www.cai.ku.ac.th/SAR56/2.2.3.7%20UK_paper_55.pdf
Roitner-Schobesberger, B., Darnhofer, I., Somsook, S., & Vogl, C. R. (2008). Consumer perceptions of organic foods in Bangkok, Thailand. Food policy, 33(2), 112-121. doi: org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2007.09.004
Rudnicka, A. (2016). Understanding Sustainable Business Models. Journal of Positive Management, 7(4) , 52-60.
Sahota, A. (2016). The global market for organic food & drink. The world of organic agriculture. Statistics and emerging trends, 2016, 133-138. Retrieved from: www.organic-world.net/yearbook/yearbook-2016.html.
Salzmann, O., Ionescu-Somers, A., & Steger, U. (2005). The business case for corporate sustainability: literature review and research options. European Management Journal, 23(1), 27-36.
Sampran Model. (2017). 23 November 2016 : Discover his Majesty’s Sufficiency Living Model at the Bliss Festival 2016. Retrieved from: http://sampranmodel.com/en/2017/02/23-november-2016-discover-majestys-sufficiency-living-model-bliss-festival-2016/
Sampran Riverside. (2017). Sampran Riverside: An eco-cultural destination since 1962. Retrieved from: http://sampranriverside.com/
Scofield, A. (1986). Biological Farming - The Origin of the Name. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture, 4(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 01448765.1986.9754481
Senge, P. (1990). The art and practice of the learning organization. The new paradigm in business: Emerging strategies for leadership and organizational change, 126-138.
Sriwichien, K., Kiratiboorana, Y., & Soungsaweng, W. (2013). The Fall, Existence and a Restoration Model of Community Bazaars along the Tha Chin River. Asian Social Science, 10(1), 257-264.
Sterling, S. (2011). Transformative learning and sustainability: Sketching the conceptual ground. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, 5(11), 17-33.
STISD.(2017).Sampran Riverside Farm.
Retrieved from: http://www.cmmu.mahidol.ac.th/test/stinsd/index.php/case-studies/sampran-riverside-farm
Teece, D. J. (2010). Business Models, Business Strategy and Innovation. Long Range Planning, 43(2-3), 172-194.
The Nation. (2016, December 4). A farm concept that empowers communities. The Nation. Retrieved from: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/%20Corporate/30301083
Wai, O. K. (2016). Organic Asia 2015. The World of Organic Agriculture Statistics and Emerging Trends 2016, 172. Retrieved from www.organic-world.net/yearbook/yearbook-2016.html.
Willer, H., & Lernoud, J. (2016). The world of organic agriculture. Statistics and emerging trends 2016 (pp. 1-336). Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL and IFOAM Organics International. Retrieved from: www.organic-world.net/yearbook/yearbook-2016.html
Willer, H., & Yussefi, M. (2011). L (2011) The World of Organic Agriculture. Statistics and Emerging Trends 2011. In FiBL-IFOAM Report. Bonn: IFOAM and Frick: FiBL.
Downloads
Published
2018-12-11
Issue
Section
Research Articles
