Community digital accessibility for enhancing farmers’ access to knowledge

As digitalization in the agricultural sector has intensified, the number of studies addressing adoption and use of digital technologies in crop production and livestock farming has also increased. However, digitalization trends in the context of small-scale farming have mainly been excluded from such studies. The focus of this paper is on investigating the sequential adoption of precision agriculture (PA) and other digital technologies, and the use of multiple technologies in a small-scale agricultural region in southern Germany. An online survey of farmers yielded a total of 2,390 observations, of which 1,820 operate in field farming, and 1,376 were livestock farmers. A heuristic approach was deployed to identify adoption patterns. Probable multiple uses of 30 digital farming technologies and decision-support applications, as well as potential trends of sequential technology adoption were analyzed for four sequential points of adoption (entry technology, currently used technologies, and planned short-term and mid-term investments). Results show that Bavarian farmers cannot be described as exceedingly digitalized but show potential adoption rates of 15–20% within the next five years for technologies such as barn robotics, section control, variable-rate applications, and maps from satellite data. Established use of entry technologies (e.g., automatic milking systems, digital field records, automatic steering systems) increased the probability of adoption of additional technologies. Among the most used technologies, the current focus is on user-friendly automation solutions that reduce farmers’ workload. Identifying current equipment and technology trends in small-scale agriculture is essential to strengthen policy efforts to promote digitalization.

As digital technologies emerge and improve rapidly, firms face changing tradeoffs in terms of their technology infrastructure and strategic direction. Hence, many of them adopt new digital technology and develop new business models and strategies. The literature on strategic alignment of IT suggests that firms need to synchronize these different domains of choice. We therefore, ask how far firms renew their strategy as they adopt new technologies. In this article, we study this question empirically by assessing if the adoption of new digital technologies is associated with, or even leads to, changes to firm strategy using a detailed survey-based dataset on firms’ strategy renewal and their adoption of digital technologies. We observe a strong positive association between the extent of strategy change and the stage of adoption of advanced digital technologies overall, suggesting a tight coupling between (technological) structure and strategy. Further, using instrumental variable regressions to disentangle the two effects, we find that the adoption of new technologies may lead to a large and robust effect on strategy change: the more extensive the adoption, the larger the change in strategy. This result is robust to various specifications and across industries. However, we notice substantial differences across technologies, potentially pointing at heterogeneity in their strategic nature or maturity level.

In today’s society shaped by digitalization and increased number of digital public services, the use of digital services may be driven by societal rather than individual will. Mental access precedes obtaining physical access, skills, and usage. It can either support or hinder the adoption and use of diverse digital technologies and services. However, less is known about older adults’ mental aspects on using digital public services. Peer tutors, acting as mediators between individual and societal dynamics, provide valuable insights into the mental access of using digital public services in later life. In this study, we ask: What are the key aspects of mental access according to peer tutors regarding the use of digital public services in later life? The data consists of 21 semi-structured interviews conducted in Central Finland in 2022 with peer tutors aged between 63 and 84 years old. Based on the inductive thematic analysis, our findings suggest that older adults experience ambivalent aspects of mental access when using digital public services. Participants expressed concerns towards the rapidly digitalizing society and felt external pressure to use digital services. On the other hand, digital services also made tutors’ and their tutees’ daily lives easier. Mental and digital support were key facilitators to mental access, counterbalancing the fear and frustration that older adults may have towards digital services. This research sheds light on mental access related to the use of digital public services among older adults, deepening the understanding of potential mental barriers and facilitators.

Palestinian small and medium enterprises digital technology adoption intention

Purpose This study aims to develop a maturity model to assess manufacturing companies’ adoption of digital technologies for energy efficiency and to formulate strategies to facilitate progress toward higher maturity levels. To achieve this goal, the study will identify and analyze the challenges inherent in the adoption and implementation of digital technologies for energy efficiency. Design/methodology/approach This study used a mixed methodology, combining analysis of the literature for building a maturity model and a questionnaire for validating the model and developing strategies for advancing maturity. The questionnaire was answered by 101 Swedish manufacturing companies. Findings The findings reveal that the aluminum industries and iron and steel industries exhibit higher maturity levels in adopting digital technologies. Most companies are intermediate adopters utilizing core technologies such as the Internet of things, cloud and big data for energy use monitoring, analysis and reporting. A smaller subset of companies, identified as leading adopters, reached the highest maturity level, integrating artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and machine learning into their energy management systems to optimize both production and energy use. A key challenge identified is the “lack of knowledge” regarding the adoption and implementation of these technologies. Research limitations/implications It is essential to emphasize that the developed maturity model does not prioritize the adoption of multiple types of digital technologies. From a maturity standpoint, what truly matters is how effectively the information obtained from digital technologies is utilized in energy efficiency and energy management work to create knowledge and, thus, add value to the organization. Practical implications The maturity model and the strategies for advancing maturity related to the adoption of digital technology for energy efficiency are designed to be applicable to all types of manufacturing industries regardless of what sector or country the company is active in. The model can also be used by academia or other actors interested in evaluating the maturity level for the adoption of digital technologies for energy efficiency in companies in the manufacturing industry. The developed strategies offer guidance on determining which activities to undertake within the organization based on its current level of maturity. Originality/value This study’s main contributions are: (1) the maturity model to assess digital technology adoption for energy efficiency, (2) a set of strategies to advance maturity in adoption and (3) empirical investigation of maturity levels in the adoption of digital technologies for energy efficiency in 101 Swedish manufacturing companies.

PurposeManufacturers seek to innovate and improve processes using new digital technologies. However, knowledge about these new technologies often resides outside a firm's boundaries. The authors draw on the concept of absorptive capacity and the literature on open innovation to explore the role of external search in the digitization of manufacturing.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed and distributed a survey to manufacturing firms in Switzerland, for which 151 complete responses were received from senior managers. The authors used multiple linear regressions to study the relations among the breadth and depth of external search, firms' adoption of digital technologies and operational performance outcomes.FindingsExternal search depth was found to relate positively to higher adoption of computing technologies and shop floor connectivity technologies. No significant correlation was found between external search breadth and firms' adoption of digital technologies. Regarding performance outcomes, there is some evidence that increased adoption of digital technologies relates positively to higher volume flexibility, but not to increased production cost competitiveness.Practical implicationsManufacturing firms that aim to digitize their processes can benefit from inbound open process innovation, but its utility varies for different clusters of digital technologies. Generally, the findings suggest that firms should build strong ties with a few external knowledge partners rather than surface relations with many.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing literature on the digitization of manufacturing with an analysis of the relation between firms' external search and their adoption of digital technologies. It adds early empirical insights to the literature on open process innovation.

The integration of digital technologies in agriculture has the potential to revolutionize biodiversity conservation efforts. This article explores the role of regulations and recommended practices in promoting the adoption of digital technologies for biodiversity conservation in agricultural practices. Through a comprehensive review of the literature and analysis of current trends, the article highlights the importance of regulatory frameworks and recommended practices in shaping the adoption and implementation of digital technologies in agriculture. It examines various policies and initiatives aimed at stimulating the use of digital tools for monitoring, reporting, and mitigating the impact on biodiversity. Furthermore, the article discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of digital technologies in agricultural practices for biodiversity conservation. It concludes by proposing recommendations for improving the regulatory framework and promoting the sustainable use of digital technologies to enhance biodiversity conservation in agriculture.

<p>Adoption of digital technologies are expected to transform current agricultural system towards sustainability. Mobile application (app) designed to assist farmers decision making has started to revolutionize the agriculture sector of Indonesia. The app offer solutions to farmers by providing information of season prediction, cropping pattern, recommended fertilizers and varieties and so on. This paper aims to review a framework related to diffusion and adoption of digital farming technologies that integrating farm level evidence then compare it with local data based on the empirical view of public agricultural R&D agency. The result indicates that the framework could be the basis for application to foster the adoption of digital technologies where the highlight provides important aspects of the adoption process. The findings also provide what matters more or less.<strong> </strong>However, limitations remain and future research is needed to improve the understanding.</p><strong>Keywords</strong>: Digital technologies, mobile application, adoption, agriculture sector

Digital transformation plays an increasingly important role in the growth and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), yet little is known regarding spatial inequalities in their adoption of advanced digital technologies. Using recent data from the Flash Eurobarometer 486, we study the spatial patterns of drivers for the implementation of new digital technologies in SMEs in Europe. In our analysis, the focus is on the possible influence of location. Considerable heterogeneity of SMEs is found in their propensity to adopt advanced digital technologies related to the strength of the local business environment and to the urban/rural hierarchy.Plain English Summary: European SMEs and DigitalisationThe adoption of digital technologies favours the competitiveness, resilience, and internationalisation of firms, but SMEs, which form the backbone of the EU economy, are lagging behind. A recent survey reveals that location greatly influences the probability that European SMEs adopt digital technology. Rural and small-town SMEs are less likely to be adopters, even when country, sector, and firm-specific characteristics are taken into account. However, good business environments always encourage the adoption of digitalisation technologies, whatever the geographic location of an SME. Innovators tend to be adopters, especially when they employ green innovation or management innovation. Larger SMEs, companies that are part of a business group, grow more rapidly, and/or export, are all more likely to adopt digital technologies. Policy-makers need to contemplate the urban/rural-divide and promote strong business environments in all types of locations. Public encouragement towards innovation is likely to indirectly promote easier access to digital technologies.

This study explored stakeholder involvement practice in digitalisation of the construction industry in the UK, and the influence thereof in the adoption of digital technologies. A qualitative interpretive method was followed using a case study approach to collect data. Thematic analysis of twenty-four semi-structured interviews and sixty survey responses, which were conducted with different digital technologies adoption actors in the construction industry, allowed the identification of six final themes depicting the influence of stakeholder involvement in the adoption of digital technologies. The findings indicate that stakeholder involvement influence is a function of its embeddedness in an organisation digitalisation approach. Stakeholder involvement embeddedness in the approach, or lack thereof, dictates how the stakeholder landscape is planned and managed, and how communication between and with stakeholder groups occurs. This is the foundation of digitalisation value creation among stakeholders. The approach is prone to digitalisation limitations and intrinsic determinants of adoption, both of which can be positively impacted through better stakeholder involvement practices. Stakeholder involvement practices are therefore catalytic to the subsequent behaviour change for digital technologies adoption and the extent to which digital technologies become adopted. This paper contextualises stakeholder involvement in the adoption of digital technologies in the construction industry, highlighting the catalytic influence of stakeholder involvement embeddedness in the complex digitalisation activity system and its interplay with industry-specific practices and other digital technology adoption determinants.

ABSTRACTDrawing on the structure–conduct–performance (SCP) paradigm, this study proposes and tests a framework of how government institutional stimulus can spur small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises' (SMEs) innovativeness. An analysis of survey data from 195 SMEs operating in Ghana—a resource‐constrained developing economy—indicates that (1) institutional stimulus has a positive relationship with SME innovativeness; (2) the effect of institutional stimulus on SMEs' innovativeness is channeled through the adoption of relevant digital technologies; and (3) the positive effect of institutional stimulus on firm innovativeness through the adoption of digital technologies is strengthened under high levels of inbound openness. Our findings make important contributions to the extant innovation and R&D management literature and have practical implications.

Increasing pressure for food security and environmental sustainability has highlighted the need to switch from conventional agricultural methods to advanced agricultural practices. Digital agricultural technologies are considered promising solutions for sustainable intensification of food production and environmental protection. Despite significant promotional efforts initiated in recent years in China, the adoption rate remains low. The objective of this study is to gain insight into the factors affecting the adoption of on-farm digital technologies in China using a systematic review approach that analyzes 10 relevant studies. Data regarding methodological aspects and results are extracted. We identify 19 key adoption drivers that are related to socioeconomic, agroecological, technological, institutional, psychological, and behavioral factors. There is a predominance of ex-ante studies that use stated preference methods. We conclude with a discussion of the design of policy incentives to induce the adoption of digital technologies. Additionally, the review points to the limitations of existing research and suggests approaches that can be adopted for future investigations. This review provides meaningful implications for the development of future efforts to promote digital transformation for sustainable agriculture in China.

Adopting digital technologies is believed to enhance the service innovation practices and operational excellence of MSMEs and has a positive impact on competitive advantage and at least supported for survival in the market. The adoption of digital technologies seems accessible for MSMEs of Myanmar, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it made no choice to adopt it at least for business survival. The research has been done on the pharmaceutical retailers, B2B clients of Tharmadaw.com, on adopting digital technologies and to give recommendations as to further strategic solutions for pharmaceutical retailers across the country. The adopting behaviors, challenges, problems, current and expected solutions, gaps on the road to further adoption of advanced digital technologies were revealed. The research finding is to support implementing further solutions for the clients by knowing their behaviors and perception on adopting digital technologies to enhance their service innovation practices in order to gain better competitive advantage.

Purpose: This article aims to investigate the impact of digital transformation on public hospital management in Peru, with a specific focus on enhancing the patient experience through the adoption of digital technologies. Objective: The primary objective is to assess the effectiveness of digital transformation strategies in improving the efficiency and accessibility of health services in public hospitals, ultimately aiming to enhance the overall patient experience. Theoretical Reference: The study is grounded in a mixed-method approach, incorporating elements of qualitative and quantitative research. It includes a comparative analysis of digital transformation strategies implemented in a representative sample of public hospitals at international, regional, and national levels. Method: The research design involves in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals and patients, as well as the analysis of secondary data from national and international health databases. The study encompasses a diverse sample of public hospitals, considering varying technological capabilities and levels of digital development. Results and Conclusion: The findings indicate that the progressive implementation of digital technologies in public hospitals in Peru has shown promise in improving the efficiency and accessibility of health services. However, challenges related to infrastructure, systems integration, and data security remain. The study underscores the need for a comprehensive and coordinated strategy for digital transformation in public hospital management. Implications of Research: The study highlights the importance of greater investment and development of digital health policies at the national level to bridge the gap in the adoption and implementation of digital technologies in hospital management. It emphasizes the significance of a collaborative approach between government, healthcare providers, and technology developers to drive digital transformation in the healthcare sector in Peru. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the understanding of the potential of digital transformation in public hospital management, particularly in developing countries like Peru. It provides insights into the challenges, opportunities, and implications of implementing digital technologies to enhance the patient experience and improve healthcare delivery in public hospitals.

The importance of Treasury management, within a commercial bank has increased significantly over the last couple of years. After the 2008 financial crisis the role and responsibility of a Treasury department has changed in terms of scope and strategic importance, evolving from a transactional cash manager to the guardian of the balance sheet. In order to meet this broader strategic mandate, Treasurers must therefore consider ways to become more effective and streamlined, while reducing time-consuming operational activities. Digitalisation can address many of the traditional Treasury challenges and provide a number of commercial and competitive benefits as well. However, to successfully adopt digital technologies and related digital innovations, Treasury requires a well-defined digital transformation plan. The Smart Digital Treasury Model (SDTM) was developed to provide a comprehensive roadmap to assist a Treasury’s digital transition towards a next generation ‘smart’ Treasury department. This paper explores a key building block of the SDTM, which addresses the risks and threats that can arise from the adoption of new digital technology. The reason for focusing on this aspect is that many of the digital risks have no direct reference points with conventional banking activity or security measures. The result of this research is an approach that articulates Treasury specific digital risks and threats, as well as describes a risk management process that can be deployed as part of the digital transformation. The digital landscape is evolving the whole time; therefore, digital risk management activity in Treasury can’t be seen as a once-off exercise, but needs to evolve in line with market developments.