PurposeThis study examines the predictors of behavioral intention of farmers to adopt a mobile agricultural finance application called e-AgriFinance using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and perceived cost as an additional predictor.Design/methodology/approachUsing a questionnaire survey, data are collected from 337 farmers in Sarawak, Malaysia. The collected data are analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe research finds that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions are positively related to behavioral intention to adopt the e-AgriFinance app, with social influence being the strongest predictor. Perceived cost is also found to be positively related to behavioral intention which contradicts the prediction of the model.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the use of UTAUT in predicting the adoption of mobile agricultural finance applications among farmers.Practical implicationsFor practice, this study provides implications for the Sarawak government to promote digital and financial inclusivity for all communities. This study also provides insights into important features of the e-AgriFinance app for digital finance providers to develop the apps that will be well accepted by farmers in the future.Originality/valueThis research is one of the few studies that focused on farmers' mobile technology adoption in agribusiness from the perspective of an emerging economy.
PurposeThis research aims to examine the effect of the two dimensions of technology readiness – motivator and inhibitor on behavioural intention to adopt a mobile agricultural finance app called e-AgriFinance app among the farmers in Sarawak, Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 337 farmers who cultivated the 4 major crops in Sarawak – oil palm, rubber, cocoa and pepper using a face-to-face questionnaire survey. Collected data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling with R plspm package.FindingsThe research found that both motivator and inhibitor dimensions of technology readiness predicted the farmers’ behavioural intention to adopt the e-AgriFinance app, with the former had a relatively stronger positive effect and the latter had a relatively weaker negative effect.Research limitations/implicationsThis research was conducted in the context of rural farmers in an emerging economy. As such, modern farmers in developed countries may have different adoption behaviour of mobile agricultural finance app. The data were collected from farmers of the four major crops – oil palm, rubber, cocoa and pepper, and thus it may not be representative of the whole population of farmers in Sarawak.Originality/valueThis research served as one of the few studies that focused on the relationship between technology readiness and mobile app adoption among farmers from the perspective of an emerging economy.
The aim of this study was to identify innovative characteristics of the Dayak homestay entrepreneurs in Sarawak and to examine to what extent such characteristics influence their business performance. A quantitative analysis was employed, with a total of 108 active members of various Dayak homestay operators participating in the survey. Respondents were identified through a list provided by the Ministry of Tourism, Sarawak via the Sarawak Tourism Board. Results obtained from the study were validated using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). This study has revealed a series of innovation characteristics, namely: products, participants and principals applied by these entrepreneurs. The findings indicated that innovation constructs were strongly correlated with Dayak homestay business performance. Given the rapidly changing environment of the industry, the findings suggested that innovation characteristics are important within the Dayak homestay business perspective. However, the population of the study has disallowed the findings to be generalized. Future studies may use a larger representation of the sector or may consider a longitudinal approach.
Purpose This study aims to explore the influence of internal and external factors on the entrepreneurial performance of rural indigenous women entrepreneurs (RIWEs) in Sarawak. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a qualitative approach in data collection and analysis. Data are collected by means of a semistructured interview from 19 RIWEs at rural areas in Sarawak. Data are then analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo software. Findings The study finds that RIWEs’ decision to start their business is mainly motivated by pull factors such as ego to succeed, ability to be self-employed and financially independent and to contribute to household income. The important personality traits of RIWEs to succeed in the entrepreneurial venture include self-belief, perseverance, commitment and risk-taking. Functional competencies and relationship competencies are cited as the most important core competencies to succeed. In terms of external factors, social networks, financial resources and support, business training and workshops and government’s preferential treatment policies are found to be important to RIWE’s entrepreneurial success. Originality/value This study is one of the few that explores the determinants of successful RIWEs in an emerging economy.
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