Laura Scheler

The dissertation project looks at the use of decision support tools on farms from an organizational sociological perspective. In dairy farming, for example, such sensor systems support animal health monitoring by measuring data such as body temperature and activity and sending an alarm message if fluctuations indicate a possible disease. Using a systems-theoretical view of farms as organizations, the project investigates how these tools are embedded in farms’ everyday decision-making and what changes may result. For this purpose, the dissertation project relies on a qualitative research design with observations, interviews and group discussions with dairy farmers.