ABSTRACT

Purpose

This study investigated the impact of privatization of advisory services on the quality of the services.

Design/methodology/approach

The front- and back-office dimensions of advisory activities were analyzed through interviews with 43 advisers involved in the advisory services provided as part of a cocoa exporter's certification program.

Findings

Our results showed that the ratio of advisors per producer in the private advisory system is too high, and the means of transport for advisors are inadequate. The training received by the advisors is strongly oriented towards mastering technical subjects related to certification requirements, while soft or process topics that would provide them with knowledge and skills required to co-produce with farmers is neglected. Regarding the front office dimension, advice to cocoa producers is largely prescriptive and fails to co-produce knowledge that is relevant to their needs.

Practical implications

The study produced empirical data that allows us to go beyond the theoretical farm advice approach derived from micro-economic modeling.

Theoretical implications

Our findings weaken the arguments in favor of privatization of farm advisory services.

Originality/value

The study provides insights into the consequence of privatizing farm advisory services in the West Africa context by producing one of the first study on this subject in Côte d'Ivoire.

中文翻译：

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私有化咨询服务是否能保证更好的服务？来自与科特迪瓦可可认证有关的咨询服务的证据

摘要

目的

本研究调查了咨询服务私有化对服务质量的影响。

设计/方法/方法

咨询活动的前台和后台层面通过与 43 位顾问的访谈进行分析，这些顾问参与作为可可出口商认证计划的一部分提供的咨询服务。

发现

我们的研究结果表明，私人顾问系统中每个生产者的顾问比例过高，顾问的交通工具不足。顾问接受的培训主要侧重于掌握与认证要求相关的技术科目，而忽略了为他们提供与农民共同生产所需的知识和技能的软性或流程主题。关于前台方面，对可可生产商的建议主要是规定性的，无法共同生产与其需求相关的知识。

实际影响

该研究产生的经验数据使我们能够超越源自微观经济模型的理论农场建议方法。

理论意义

我们的研究结果削弱了支持农场咨询服务私有化的论点。

原创性/价值

该研究通过在科特迪瓦制作有关该主题的首批研究之一，提供了对西非环境中农场咨询服务私有化后果的见解。