Aprendizado coletivo e socialização num processo de transição ecológica: o caso dos viticultores orgânicos e biodinâmicos da Côte de Beuane
| Autor | Jaime Montes Lihn |
| Cargo | PhD in Sociology |
| Páginas | 403-431 |
http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-7984.2017v16n35p403
403403 – 431
Collective Learning and Socialization
During the Ecological Transition: the
case of organic and biodynamic wine
producers of Côte de Beaune
Jaime Montes-Lihn1
Abstract
Wine producers facing the transition to organic farming rely widely on networks of informal
advice sharing among peers. Limited attention has been paid so far to the impact of actors’ values
on collective learning, although the literature shows that they play a role both in the ecological
transition (LAMINE et al., 2009) and in advice seeking (NAHAPIET et al., 1998). This paper
explores the effect of actors’ ecological values on a complete advice network within a professional
milieu of over 60 organic and biodynamic wine producers in Burgundy Region, France. Using
exponential random graph models, the analysis takes into account not only wine producers’
ecological values, but also their broad relational context including triadic sub-structures such as
transitivity and the existence of pre-existing relations that may have an influence on the advice
network. Wine producers’ values stand out as driving the selection of advisers. Two simultaneous
collective learning processes are identified: the first one is characterized by the collaboration of
experienced wine producers that share common ecological values, and the second one by the
interactions among these experienced producers and the novices. This second learning process is
coupled with a socialization mechanism aiming at transmitting the milieu’s social norms.
Keywords: collective learning; economic sociology; exponential random graph models; organic
farming; biodynamic farming; social network analysis; viticulture.
Introduction
e relational dimension of learning can be observed in part through the
study of social networks, especially through the analysis of advice networks.
An advice network is a representation of paths that reveal the circulation of
appropriate information among individuals of an organized setting (LAZEGA
2001, 2012; WASSERMAN et al., 1994).
1 PhD in Sociology. E-mail: jaimemonteslihn@gmail.com
Collective Learning and Socialization During the Ecological Transition: the case of organic and biodynamic wine producers of
Côte de Beaune | Jaime Montes-Lihn
404 403 – 6431
Lazega (2001, 2003) argues that actors in an organized setting do not only
obtain information from their peers when they ask for advice, but that they
also take part ina broader strategy to modify to their advantage the structure
of social relations in which they participate. From this perspective, actors
are involved in status competition and the search for reference groups where
they can in the long run exchange resources with other actors in a privileged
way. For Newig et al. (2010) and Argyris (1982) as well, the actors take into
account their relational context in their actions, in what the authors call
double loop learning. is is a type of learning that implies not just a transfer
of information, but a reection of the interrelations among actors and the
goals of the action themselves. is paper explores, through empirical study,
the link between individuals in a learning process leading to the adoption
of green practices and their relational context, more specically the eect of
individuals’ values in the selection mechanism (ROBINS et al., 2001). Values
are observed based on the ecological choices of wine producers in the long
run. e selection mechanism points out from who wine producers obtain
advice when they face challenging situations regarding their work.
Previous research has shown that collective learning is a key issue in
the agro-environmental transition. Farmers are not isolated and rely on
other farmers to obtain appropriate information, allowing them to solve
problematic situations related to green practices (LAMINE et al., 2009). is
information is used by farmers to make technical decisions. Indeed, Darré
(1994) and Compagnone (2004) argue that taking into account the position
of farmers in social networks helps us to understand farmers’ work and how
their agronomic practices are socially contextualized.
e study of advice networks is particularly appropriate when tacit and
situated knowledge produced by the community of practice is a key resource
in the learning process of new techniques (NONAKA et al., 2009; WENGER
1998; CHIFFOLEAU, 2005). Defrancesco et al. (2008) show that this is
especially the case for those who adopt green practices: Adopters are more
open to exchanging information with other farmers. In addition, Defrancesco
observes that not only does technical information circulate in organized
settings, social norms and the opinion of neighboring farmers also are relevant
for adopters of green practices. Regarding recent research analyzing advice
networks among wine-producers in ecological transition, results conrm
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