Factors Influencing the Intention to Adopt Precision Agriculture Technology Among Agronomist Firms in Saskatchewan
Date
2023-12-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
Abstract
Precision agricultural technologies relating to soil quality and land management may be useful
tools to improve the level of agricultural productivity and profitability. Agronomists often help
producers become aware of and integrate new technologies that can improve performance.
However, the rate of adoption of technology among agronomists varies and can be shaped by a
wide array of influencing determinants.
Predictive Soil Mapping Systems (PSMS) are web-based platforms that generates high-resolution
predictive soil characteristics maps for users. PSMS help users make informed decisions and use
the right amount and type of inputs in the right place and right time.
Using a survey of agronomist firms in Saskatchewan, I examined factors relating to the intention
to adopt PSMS. I focused on strategy-oriented factors at the firm level (e.g., market orientation,
cannibalization, innovativeness, and performance), and used Partial Least Square Structural
Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for analyzing my conceptual model based on the theoretical
framework of the TOE (Technology-Organization-Environment) model.
Results show the firm's subjective perception of past performance relative to others in the industry
has a significant positive relationship with intention to adopt the PSMS technology and other
strategic factors of the company are insignificant
Description
Keywords
Technology adoption intention, innovation intention, intention to adopt, willingness
to apply, intention to adopt, assessing customer behavior, predictive soil mapping systems,
adoption models, adoption determinants, PLS-SEM
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Agricultural and Resource Economics
Program
Agricultural Economics