Task allocation and human resource management at glasshouse holdings in Flanders

As glasshouses are becoming fewer in number and larger in size, labour organisation and human resource management (HRM) will become more important. This paper attempts to provide a pilot study by examining the task allocation and the situation of HRM practice at Flemish glasshouse holdings. Data for the research are based on interviews at a representative sample of 148 glasshouse holdings belonging to the FADN. The sample consists of 59 glasshouse holdings specialised in production of vegetables and 89 holdings specialised in production of ornamental plants. The results reveal that the task allocation and HRM practices at holdings specialised in vegetable production and those specialised in production of ornamental plants are largely comparable. The personnel is almost exclusively employed in production activities. The hypothesis that HRM practices are more important at large glasshouse holdings can only be confirmed to a limited extent. No significant differences between small and large holdings could be observed with regard to involvement of personnel in decision-making, rewarding policy, training opportunities, ... With a further increase in scale of glasshouse production in the near future it will be important for the firm managers to attach a greater importance to HRM