IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/tefoso/v204y2024ics0040162524002324.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exploring small farmers behavioral intention to adopt digital platforms for sustainable and successful agricultural ecosystems

Author

Listed:
  • Cimino, Antonio
  • Coniglio, Ilda Maria
  • Corvello, Vincenzo
  • Longo, Francesco
  • Sagawa, Juliana Keiko
  • Solina, Vittorio

Abstract

The research study explores the factors influencing small farmers behavioral intention to adopt a pioneering digital platform, whose aim is to establish sustainable and successful business ecosystems within the agricultural sector. To achieve this goal, the authors extend and customize the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model developing a theoretical framework that assesses the impact of Performance Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), Social Influence (SI), Environmental Uncertainty (EU), and Network Prominence (NP) on the Behavioral Intention (BI) to use the platform. From December 2022 to May 2023, a survey was conducted using a tailor-made questionnaire and gathering 192 valid responses from a sample of Italian small farmers. The empirical analysis confirms positive associations between the independent constructs (EE, PE, SI, EU, NP) and BI. Additionally, the study detects the predominant influence of EU over other constructs on small farmers' intention to adopt the platform. The integration of NP and EU constructs represents a significant contribution to the existing literature, as it offers a novel approach for a deeper understanding of the adoption process. The study's findings determine significant implications for policymakers and platform developers providing valuable insights into driving technology adoption for sustainable and successful ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Cimino, Antonio & Coniglio, Ilda Maria & Corvello, Vincenzo & Longo, Francesco & Sagawa, Juliana Keiko & Solina, Vittorio, 2024. "Exploring small farmers behavioral intention to adopt digital platforms for sustainable and successful agricultural ecosystems," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:204:y:2024:i:c:s0040162524002324
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123436
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162524002324
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123436?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Federica Caffaro & Eugenio Cavallo, 2019. "The Effects of Individual Variables, Farming System Characteristics and Perceived Barriers on Actual Use of Smart Farming Technologies: Evidence from the Piedmont Region, Northwestern Italy," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Rahul Kapoor, 2018. "Ecosystems: broadening the locus of value creation," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 7(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. André Slowak, 2008. "Standard-setting capabilities in industrial automation: a collaborative process," Journal of Innovation Economics, De Boeck Université, vol. 0(2), pages 147-169.
    4. Ye, Jianhong & Zheng, Jiaqi & Yi, Fabin, 2020. "A study on users' willingness to accept mobility as a service based on UTAUT model," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    5. Bjorn Van Campenhout & David J. Spielman & Els Lecoutere, 2021. "Information and Communication Technologies to Provide Agricultural Advice to Smallholder Farmers: Experimental Evidence from Uganda," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(1), pages 317-337, January.
    6. Christopher Agyekumhene & Jasper R. de Vries & Annemarie van Paassen & Marc Schut & Phil MacNaghten, 2020. "Making Smallholder Value Chain Partnerships Inclusive: Exploring Digital Farm Monitoring through Farmer Friendly Smartphone Platforms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-16, June.
    7. Sun, Qiao & Wang, Chang & Zhou, Yifang & Zuo, Lyushui & Song, Huiling, 2023. "How to build business ecosystems for e-waste online recycling platforms: A comparative study of two typical cases in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    8. Omulo, Godfrey & Kumeh, Eric Mensah, 2020. "Farmer-to-farmer digital network as a strategy to strengthen agricultural performance in Kenya: A research note on ‘Wefarm’ platform," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    9. Obvious Mapiye & Godswill Makombe & Annelin Molotsi & Kennedy Dzama & Cletos Mapiye, 2021. "Towards a Revolutionized Agricultural Extension System for the Sustainability of Smallholder Livestock Production in Developing Countries: The Potential Role of ICTs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, May.
    10. Yigezu, Yigezu Atnafe & Mugera, Amin & El-Shater, Tamer & Aw-Hassan, Aden & Piggin, Colin & Haddad, Atef & Khalil, Yaseen & Loss, Stephen, 2018. "Enhancing adoption of agricultural technologies requiring high initial investment among smallholders," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 199-206.
    11. Mohan V. Tatikonda & Mitzi M. Montoya-Weiss, 2001. "Integrating Operations and Marketing Perspectives of Product Innovation: The Influence of Organizational Process Factors and Capabilities on Development Performance," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 47(1), pages 151-172, January.
    12. Lowder, Sarah K. & Sánchez, Marco V. & Bertini, Raffaele, 2021. "Which farms feed the world and has farmland become more concentrated?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    13. Martins, Carolina & Oliveira, Tiago & Popovič, Aleš, 2014. "Understanding the Internet banking adoption: A unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and perceived risk application," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 1-13.
    14. Faridi, Amir Ali & Kavoosi-Kalashami, Mohammad & Bilali, Hamid El, 2020. "Attitude components affecting adoption of soil and water conservation measures by paddy farmers in Rasht County, Northern Iran," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    15. Michael G. Jacobides & Carmelo Cennamo & Annabelle Gawer, 2018. "Towards a theory of ecosystems," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(8), pages 2255-2276, August.
    16. Nakamura, Masao, 2005. "Joint venture instability, learning and the relative bargaining power of the parent firms," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 14(4), pages 465-493, August.
    17. Rong, Ke & Wu, Jinxi & Shi, Yongjiang & Guo, Liang, 2015. "Nurturing business ecosystems for growth in a foreign market: Incubating, identifying and integrating stakeholders," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 21(4), pages 293-308.
    18. Engås, Karen G. & Raja, Jawwad Z. & Neufang, Isabelle Fabienne, 2023. "Decoding technological frames: An exploratory study of access to and meaningful engagement with digital technologies in agriculture," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    19. Giua, Carlo & Materia, Valentina Cristiana & Camanzi, Luca, 2022. "Smart farming technologies adoption: Which factors play a role in the digital transition?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    20. Arfi, Wissal Ben & Nasr, Imed Ben & Kondrateva, Galina & Hikkerova, Lubica, 2021. "The role of trust in intention to use the IoT in eHealth: Application of the modified UTAUT in a consumer context," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    21. Patil, Kiran & Ojha, Divesh & Struckell, Elisabeth M. & Patel, Pankaj C., 2023. "Behavioral drivers of blockchain assimilation in supply chains – A social network theory perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Gomes, Leonardo Augusto de Vasconcelos & Fleury, André Leme & Oliveira, Maicon Gouvêa de & Facin, Ana Lucia Figueiredo, 2021. "Ecosystem policy roadmapping," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    2. Hou, Hong & Shi, Yongjiang, 2021. "Ecosystem-as-structure and ecosystem-as-coevolution: A constructive examination," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    3. Silva, Lucas Emmanuel Nascimento & Gomes, Leonardo Augusto de Vasconcelos & Faria, Aline Mariane de & Borini, Felipe Mendes, 2024. "Innovation processes in ecosystem settings: An integrative framework and future directions," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    4. Baldwin, Carliss Y. & Bogers, Marcel L.A.M. & Kapoor, Rahul & West, Joel, 2024. "Focusing the ecosystem lens on innovation studies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(3).
    5. Gomes, Leonardo Augusto de Vasconcelos & Flechas, Ximena Alejandra & Facin, Ana Lucia Figueiredo & Borini, Felipe Mendes, 2021. "Ecosystem management: Past achievements and future promises," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    6. Borner, Kathrin & Berends, Hans & Deken, Fleur & Feldberg, Frans, 2023. "Another pathway to complementarity: How users and intermediaries identify and create new combinations in innovation ecosystems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(7).
    7. Culot, Giovanna & Battistella, Cinzia, 2024. "Future ecosystem business model tool: Design science and field test in the efuel ecosystem towards the sustainability transition," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    8. Fellnhofer, Katharina, 2022. "Entrepreneurial alertness toward responsible research and innovation: Digital technology makes the psychological heart of entrepreneurship pound," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    9. Reiter, Andreas & Stonig, Joachim & Frankenberger, Karolin, 2024. "Managing multi-tiered innovation ecosystems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(1).
    10. Song, Yue & Gnyawali, Devi & Qian, Lihong, 2024. "From early curiosity to space wide web: The emergence of the small satellite innovation ecosystem," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(2).
    11. Rong, Ke & Ren, Qun & Shi, Xianwei, 2018. "The determinants of network effects: Evidence from online games business ecosystems," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 45-60.
    12. Dai, Guangsong & Zhang, Lanxia & Zhang, Qingqiang & Mao, Mengyu, 2024. "Navigating tensions between value creation and capture in ecosystems," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    13. Kindermann, Bastian & Beutel, Sebastian & Garcia de Lomana, Gonzalo & Strese, Steffen & Bendig, David & Brettel, Malte, 2021. "Digital orientation: Conceptualization and operationalization of a new strategic orientation," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 645-657.
    14. Granstrand, Ove, 2024. "A cooperative game theory systems approach to the value analysis of (innovation) ecosystems," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    15. Hongyun Zheng & Wanglin Ma, 2023. "Smartphone-based information acquisition and wheat farm performance: insights from a doubly robust IPWRA estimator," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 633-658, June.
    16. Miehé, Lucas & Palmié, Maximilian & Oghazi, Pejvak, 2023. "Connection successfully established: How complementors use connectivity technologies to join existing ecosystems – Four archetype strategies from the mobility sector," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    17. da Silveira, Franco & da Silva, Sabrina Letícia Couto & Machado, Filipe Molinar & Barbedo, Jayme Garcia Arnal & Amaral, Fernando Gonçalves, 2023. "Farmers' perception of the barriers that hinder the implementation of agriculture 4.0," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    18. Kindermann, Bastian & Vera Hedwig Schmidt, Corinna & Fengel, Florian & Strese, Steffen, 2024. "Expanding the boundaries of digital orientation research: Scale development and validation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    19. Mehra, Aashish & Rajput, Sneha & Paul, Justin, 2022. "Determinants of adoption of latest version smartphones: Theory and evidence," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    20. Miric, Milan & Jeppesen, Lars Bo, 2023. "How does competition influence innovative effort within a platform-based ecosystem? Contrasting paid and unpaid contributors," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(7).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:204:y:2024:i:c:s0040162524002324. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00401625 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.