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Sustainable Agriculture and Quality of Working Life: Analytical Perspectives and Confirmation from Research

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  • Giorgio Gosetti

    (Department Human Science, University of Verona, Lungadige Porta Vittoria 41, 37129 Verona, Italy)

Abstract

We begin by examining the multidimensional nature of sustainability, a concept we generally understand in terms of three overarching dimensions (environmental, social and economic), and propose that the concept of social sustainability be translated in terms of those aspects that we believe connote good working conditions. Stepping beyond a concept of sustainability that is dependent on the imposition of limits, we take as our starting point the concept of decent work adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and argue that it is possible to conceive of, and even design, a sustainable job within a sustainable economy and society by thinking in terms of quality of working life . Subsequently, having introduced some of the changes we are witnessing in the world of work, and in the agricultural sector in particular, we provide a theoretical and methodological description of a model framework we propose for analysing quality of working life. In the concluding part of the essay, we include some of the results of a research project that investigated quality of working life among employees of farms and agricultural businesses in a province in northern Italy.

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgio Gosetti, 2017. "Sustainable Agriculture and Quality of Working Life: Analytical Perspectives and Confirmation from Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:10:p:1749-:d:113550
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    2. Enzo Rullani, 2011. "Introduzione al tema. Produzione sostenibile: la nuova stella polare per navigare (a vista) nel mare della crisi," ECONOMIA E SOCIET? REGIONALE, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 0(3), pages 5-21.
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    Cited by:

    1. Agnieszka Wojewódzka-Wiewiórska & Anna Kłoczko-Gajewska & Piotr Sulewski, 2019. "Between the Social and Economic Dimensions of Sustainability in Rural Areas—In Search of Farmers’ Quality of Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-26, December.
    2. Marta Domagalska-Grędys & Michał Niewiadomski & Katarzyna Piecuch, 2025. "Aspects of Support and Types of Work–Life Balance Among Employees from Rural Areas in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Sandra Volken & Patrick Bottazzi, 2024. "Sustainable farm work in agroecology: how do systemic factors matter?," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 41(3), pages 1037-1052, September.
    4. Haruna M. Moda & Christopher Nwadike & Mela Danjin & Francis Fatoye & Chidozie E. Mbada & Louise Smail & Pauline J. S. Doka, 2021. "Quality of Work Life (QoWL) and Perceived Workplace Commitment among Seasonal Farmers in Nigeria," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-12, January.
    5. Marina Vladimirovna Muravyova, 2018. "Socio-Economic and Demographic Motivators of the Life Quality of Rural Population in the Russian Federation," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, pages 211-214:3.
    6. Gunawan Prayitno & Ainul Hayat & Achmad Efendi & Hagus Tarno & Fikriyah & Septia Hana Fauziah, 2022. "Structural Model of Social Capital and Quality of Life of Farmers in Supporting Sustainable Agriculture (Evidence: Sedayulawas Village, Lamongan Regency-Indonesia)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, September.
    7. Judith Janker, 2020. "Moral conflicts, premises and the social dimension of agricultural sustainability," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 37(1), pages 97-111, March.
    8. Ahmad Bathaei & Dalia Štreimikienė, 2023. "A Systematic Review of Agricultural Sustainability Indicators," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-19, January.
    9. Sarah H. Whitaker, 2024. "The impact of government policies and regulations on the subjective well-being of farmers in two rural mountain areas of Italy," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 41(4), pages 1791-1809, December.

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