The budget for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is €365bn (European Commission, 2018) for 2021–2027, with the majority allocated to farmers through direct payments. Given the economic vulnerability of many farm enterprises, and the concern about the sustainability of food supply for a growing worldwide population, these payments are provided to encourage food production. Despite this economic vulnerability, many farmers do not appear to run their business with the sole intention of profit maximisation. This paper explores various financial and non-financial influencing factors on the strategic farm expansion decision-making process of farmers with the aim of assisting policymakers and farm advisors to develop a deeper understanding of that process. As a result, agricultural policy may be more effectively formulated and advisory services to farmers may be improved. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 27 farmers who have undertaken strategic farm expansion decisions. Subsequently, the interview findings were presented to a focus group to probe them in more detail. A wide range of financial and non-financial influencing factors on the strategic farm expansion decision-making process of farmers emerge. Analysis of the influencing factors by the specific type of farm expansion decision undertaken and by farm type provides further insights. It is proposed that these influencing factors act as a cue which trigger a sensebreaking activity and cause the farmer to enter a process of sensemaking, culminating in a strategic farm expansion decision being undertaken.

2021年至2027年，共同农业政策（CAP）的预算为3650亿欧元（欧洲联盟委员会，2018年），其中大部分通过直接付款分配给农民。鉴于许多农场企业的经济脆弱性，以及对不断增长的全球人口粮食供应可持续性的担忧，提供这些补贴是为了鼓励粮食生产。尽管存在这种经济脆弱性，但许多农民似乎并没有以最大化利润为唯一目的来经营自己的业务。本文探讨了农民战略性农场扩张决策过程中的各种财务和非财务影响因素，旨在帮助决策者和农场顾问对这一过程有更深入的了解。因此，可以更有效地制定农业政策，并改善对农民的咨询服务。对已经做出战略性农场扩张决策的27位农民进行了半结构化访谈。随后，访谈结果被提交给焦点小组，以进行更详细的调查。出现了一系列影响农民战略性农场扩张决策过程的财务和非财务影响因素。通过采取的具体农场扩展决策类型和农场类型对影响因素进行分析，可以提供进一步的见解。建议这些影响因素充当 访谈结果已提交给焦点小组，以进行更详细的调查。出现了一系列影响农民战略性农场扩张决策过程的财务和非财务影响因素。通过采取的具体农场扩展决策类型和农场类型对影响因素进行分析，可以提供进一步的见解。建议这些影响因素充当 访谈结果已提交给焦点小组，以进行更详细的调查。出现了一系列影响农民战略性农场扩张决策过程的财务和非财务影响因素。通过采取的具体农场扩展决策类型和农场类型对影响因素进行分析，可以提供进一步的见解。建议这些影响因素充当提示会触发令人震惊的活动，并导致农民进入有意义的过程，最终导致正在制定战略性农场扩张决策。