ABSTRACT

Purpose

This paper establishes the attitude of Australian livestock farmers toward the use of mobile applications (apps) in farmer extension, training and on-farm decision making. It also determines levels of technology adoption of smartphones and agriculture app use, as well as identifies factors that may influence app adoption.

Methodology

A quantitative approach was utilised in the analysis of data from four online surveys conducted in 2017 that were completed by a total 542 respondents.

Findings

Respondents had high levels of smartphone ownership and general app use but significantly lower agricultural app use. Surveys revealed a strong positive attitude and keenness to use apps. Making more informed decisions, increasing efficiency, and accessing and recording important information were the most important reasons for agricultural app use.

Practical Implications

Findings suggest a lack of relevant, useful, and easy to use apps for agriculture, or an issue with their value proposition.

Theoretical Implications

The perceived technology adoption gap amongst Australian livestock farmers could not be substantiated. Established fundamental factors influencing technology adoption are relevant for agricultural app adoption, but other factors appear to be less relevant and there are new motivators to consider.

Originality/Value

There is little peer-reviewed information on the adoption and use of agricultural apps by Australian farmers and a perception that farmers have lower levels of smartphone and app use. This paper assesses technology adoption levels and considers the farmer perspective in identifying factors influencing adoption.

中文翻译：

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探索智能手机应用程序对畜牧业者的作用：数据管理、扩展和知情决策

摘要

目的

本文确立了澳大利亚畜牧业者对在农民推广、培训和农场决策中使用移动应用程序（应用程序）的态度。它还确定了智能手机和农业应用程序使用的技术采用水平，并确定了可能影响应用程序采用的因素。

方法

在分析 2017 年进行的四次在线调查的数据时采用了定量方法，共有 542 名受访者完成了这些调查。

发现

受访者的智能手机拥有率和一般应用程序使用率较高，但农业应用程序的使用率显着降低。调查显示强烈的积极态度和使用应用程序的热情。做出更明智的决策、提高效率以及访问和记录重要信息是农业应用程序使用的最重要原因。

实际影响

调查结果表明，缺乏相关、有用且易于使用的农业应用程序，或者其价值主张存在问题。

理论意义

澳大利亚畜牧业者之间感知到的技术采用差距无法得到证实。影响技术采用的既定基本因素与农业应用采用相关，但其他因素似乎不太相关，并且有新的动机需要考虑。

原创性/价值

关于澳大利亚农民采用和使用农业应用程序的同行评审信息很少，而且人们认为农民的智能手机和应用程序使用水平较低。本文评估了技术采用水平，并在确定影响采用的因素时考虑了农民的观点。