Strategy for the Appropriation of a DSS in Small Bovine Producers Using Simulation and a Serious Video Game

Urbano Gómez-Prada,Martha Orellana-Hernández,Jesús Salinas-Ibáñez

doi:10.3390/info11120566

Urbano Gómez-Prada, Martha Orellana-Hernández + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/info11120566

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Abstract

There is low adoption of Information Technologies (IT) in the administration of small bovine production systems which causes that most decisions are made based on the experience of the administrators and not based on data. This study proposes a methodological strategy to improve the adoption and appropriation of a Decision Support System (DSS) in the aforementioned kind of systems. The strategy includes gamification elements in the training supported in three IT tools, which help with the understanding of the connection between the tools. The tools are a simulation model, a serious video game, and the DSS. The design and development of the strategy used Design and Development Research and Case Study, System Dynamics to develop the simulation model and a Rational Unified Process to develop the serious video game and the DSS. The methodology was implemented in Santander, Colombia with informative sessions and working with producers in aided simulated environments with the goal of getting participants to use the proposed tools in their environments in a voluntary, autonomous, lasting way. Results showed the impact of the ludic and pedagogical components for the appropriation of the technology. 22 months after finishing the aided sessions 34% of the farmers show appropriation of the DSS and use it on their farms.

Highlights

Bovine production is an economic activity aimed at generating products, such as meat and milk for human consumption [1]
In order to provide training to use Information Technologies (IT) in the agricultural practices of small producers this study proposes a strategy of appropriation which seeks the appropriation of a Decision Support System by bovine producers
The strategy is based on the understanding and collaboration provided by simulation models which helps to understand the complexity of the production system through the communication made with the influence diagrams and the significant learning allowed based on transference and appropriation, as explained by Victoria et al [46] and that, is in this case supported by gamification, represented in a serious game

Summary

Introduction

Bovine production is an economic activity aimed at generating products, such as meat and milk for human consumption [1]. Small bovine producers are people who work in the management of cattle to produce meat and milk, have social and demographic factors that require improvement, and generally do not use information systems for the administration of their systems because of cultural rooting and resistance to change among other reasons [6]. Because of that they must be trained in better agricultural practices that would allow them to have access to more information about their processes [7], reduce errors and Information 2020, 11, 566; doi:10.3390/info11120566 www.mdpi.com/journal/information

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