Policy Issues of e-Commerce Technology Diffusion in Southeast Nigeria: The Case of Small Scale Agribusiness

The benefits brought about by the emergence of e-commerce, e-business and other Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) applications have not been fully explored in the developing economies of the world. The less developed economies are still struggling to catch up with ICT application as opposed to its heavy deployment in the developed economies. Empirical evidence suggests that ICTs and other related technologies are increasingly emerging in the communities of the developing economies such as Nigeria. Rural actors engaged in the Agricultural industries (Agribusiness) feel that the implementation of ICTs can influence the development of new business processes and the way existing processes are organised. In the Southeast of Nigeria, which is a typical example of a less developed community, the impact of e-business technologies has yet to be determined. This paper identifies two classical traditional agribusiness supply chains and hence reports on the impact of e-commerce technology diffusion along the equilibrium of the supply chains, focusing on the elimination of intermediary actors from the chain. It provides an assessment of the Governments’ policies and strategies on e-commerce adoption for the sustainability of small-scale agricultural businesses. The paper examines the politics surrounding ICT implementations by actors engaged in the agribusiness sector. This research has motivated The South East State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, to give closer attention to their earlier policy of making Nigeria an ICT-enabled country

ICT adoption in developing countries : perspectives from small-scale agribusinesses

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine how social augmented parameters impact on the effective adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) by small-scale agribusinesses operating in Southeast Nigeria. The relevance of incorporating social imperatives in scholarship focused on technology adoption is due to its role in sustaining the process of adoption and diffusion. Data were gathered from a focus group made up of 27 agribusiness proprietors affiliated with a state cooperative based in the south-eastern Nigerian state of Ebonyi. This paper puts forward an argument that to ensure successful diffusion of innovation, a balance must be maintained between the amount of effort expended in the design of ICT and social factors such as language and traditional life. The paper finds that a willingness of indigenous ICT users is particularly influenced by the recognition and incorporation of visible social imperatives during the adoption process. The outcome of this study highlights important issues for ICT adoption. One particular area that must be taken into consideration is the adoption channel. Perceptions of ICT adoption will differ significantly among adopters. For this reason, the need for developing an appropriate adoption channel that ensures successful diffusion of the innovation should be recognised. This study contributes to ongoing research in ICT innovation adoption in small agribusinesses operating in indigenous societies. The theoretical implications of this paper are the development of a conceptual ICT adoption framework that emphasises social imperatives. The paper also demonstrates that agricultural enterprises should be treated as ‘normal’ firms in their own right

Strategic Women Empowerment through ICT Innovation Adoption: Case of Smallholder Rice Farmers in Nigeria

This paper summarizes the experiences of rice women farmers in Nigeria who were directly and indirectly affected by the bio-fuel and solar energy system projects under the much touted agricultural transformation agenda (ATA) initiated by the current Nigerian government. However, some of these women suffered displacement because their rice farms were converted to the government’s green energy project sites. Others were humiliated by flood that washed away their farm land. Although the flood issue was attributed to climate change impact, a gender issue was still raised because these rural poor women could not raise their voice even to express their opinion and neither were they compensated for their farm land. The study capitalized on the economic, social, political and cultural implication of such displacement and conducted a situational analysis of how these women rice farmers whom some of them are not even formally educated are using mobile phones and some who are literate enough were signing up on the internet for email communication and social networking. This was done in order to demonstrate how such technologies can be used to facilitate wider audience communication and also registering their opinion in the public domain. Findings of this study support the result of similar studies in other countries where gender issues were raised towards unfriendly government policies. It shows that adoption of such ICT components was not only part of women empowerment strategy; rather it further opened a window for capacity building towards green econom

Social Network Adaptation, a Panacea to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Innovation Diffusion: the Case of Small Scale Agribusinesses in Less Developed Countries

There is substantial research in the area of diffusion of innovation theory (DoI), and its application to information systems and information technology (IS/IT) innovation within organisations. However, scholars in recognition of the conceptual limitations of DoI, have called for the incorporation of certain aspects of social network theory (SNT) into DoI framework. In developing countries, one such justification for this theoretical stance is the fact that information communication channels through which technology innovation is diffused have been shown to substantially influence the rate of technology adoption. In this study, the author focuses on exploring how diffusion of innovation (DoI) theory underpinned by social elements can be used to develop and enable the effective diffusion of innovation among small scale agribusinesses in Nigeria. Data was obtained primarily through qualitative research (semi-structured interviews, document analysis and field notes/observation). Data analysis and coding was conducted using template analysis (Atlas.ti). The findings of the research suggest that an understanding of the conceptual basis of innovation is a major driver of successful innovation adoption

Diffusion of ICT Innovation and E-Business Adoption in Agribusiness SMR\u27s: A Developing Country Perspective

This paper describes how a UNIDO ICT centre innovation acted as a catalyst for ICT adoption and e-business innovation among Small and Medium sized Agribusiness Enterprises in Southeast Nigeria. Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DoI) has been applied to investigate the diffusion process of technology. However, the adaptation of Social Network Theory in the diffusion of innovation studies is comparatively recent and still at a very developmental stage. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 Small Agribusiness Enterprises in Southeast of Nigeria. This paper argues that the balance between effort utilised in technology design and the effective diffusion of such innovation must be redressed. Greater emphasis must be placed in instituting end-user social networks as an antecedant that will enable end-user engagement and hence enable effective diffusion of the technology innovation through such end-user networks. The importance of sustaining the diffusion process of information and communication technology (ICT) innovation in order to facilitate the implementation of e-business in small and medium sized enterprises is a major challenge. This paper concludes with the finding that the potential adopters’ conceptual and contextual knowledge of the innovation is a major factor in the adoption and diffusion process. The continuous sharing of information about the innovation through social networks constitutes the main success factor enabling the sustainability (maturation) of the technology

Information and communication technology and climate change adaptation: Evidence from selected mining companies in South Africa

The mining sector is a significant contributor to the gross domestic product of many global economies. Given the increasing trends in climate-induced disasters and the growing desire to find lasting solutions, information and communication technology (ICT) has been introduced into the climate change adaptation mix. Climate change-induced extreme weather events such as flooding, drought, excessive fog, and cyclones have compounded the environmental challenges faced by the mining sector. This article presents the adoption of ICT innovation as part of the adaptation strategies towards reducing the mining sector’s vulnerability and exposure to climate change disaster risks. Document analysis and systematic literature review were adopted as the methodology. Findings from the study reflect how ICT intervention orchestrated changes in communication patterns which are tailored towards the reduction in climate change vulnerability and exposure. The research concludes with a proposition that ICT intervention must be part of the bigger and ongoing climate change adaptation agenda in the mining sector. Keywords: ICT; climate change; disaster risk reduction; mining; adaptation; South Afric

Symbols as cultural expressions of technology diffusion

Purpose - In the literature, technology has been shown to perform two major roles, one functionalist and the second symbolic. The authors focus on exploring how cultural expressions in the form of symbols impact on technology diffusion. Design/methodology/approach - Data were obtained primarily through qualitative research (semi-structured interviews, document analysis and field notes/observation). Data analysis and coding was conducted using template analysis (Atlas.ti). Findings - The findings of the research suggest that an understanding of the symbolic role of technology in the form of ‘space’, physical structures, communication facilitators and a status symbol may enhance the success of its adoption among indigenous agribusinesses. Research limitations/implications - The study is limited by its focus on a select set of symbolic dimensions of culture. Emphasising a limited set of cultural dimensions assumes that other imperatives may not have a high impact on technology diffusion. Originality/value - The focus in this case is on small scale indigenous agribusinesses (SSAs) operating in the South East of Nigeria. We employ broader social anthropological and sociological theories which lie outside the parameters of standard technology adoption and diffusion of innovation theories to support our study

Social networks among small agribusinesses in Nigeria

This paper focuses on the diffusion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among small indigenous agribusinesses operating in Southeast Nigeria. The study emphasises the role played by social networks in the process of innovation and technology diffusion. The research is conducted utilising a qualitative approach. We conducted semi-structured interviews with agribusiness proprietors. Data is subsequently analysed using template analysis. Based on interviews of 27 small indigenous agribusinesses proprietors, the major findings from the interviews appear to point to four major social imperatives that impact on ICT diffusion in developing countries. The main objective of the authors is to shown how interaction between different actors and their engagement in the social process plays a major role in ICT diffusion. In particular, the authors highlight the role played by cultural imperatives in sustaining the diffusion of innovation process. The incorporation of Social Network Theory (SNT) in innovation and technology diffusion scholarship is recent and very much at the developmental stage. Its contribution has however been accentuated by the role enterprises play during the diffusion process