Process description, qualitative analysis and causal relationships in farm succession

Intra-family succession represents the preferential way of farm transfer. It consists in an extremely complex process that involves current farm holders and all potential heirs and that, at the same time, influences current and future management, as well as investment choices. Many authors have analysed this topic from different viewpoints that may be roughly categorized in qualitative research, quantitative appraisal and descriptive analyses. This paper attempts to provide a review of contents and results of these strands of literature in developed countries, highlighting their common points and suggesting future research lines.