A model for usability of E-agriculture by farmers in Uganda
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Date
2017-07
Authors
Kyeyune, Robert
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The UICT University
Abstract
The study examines the levels of farmers' expectancy, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and instrumentality, context of use, and usability measures in using e-agriculture. This study used a quantitative data collection and analysis techniques. The population comprised of farmers and agricultural extension workers. The study adopted a multistage sampling approach. In the first stage, Uganda was divided into four regions including Northern Region, Eastern Region, Western Region and Central region. In the second stage, simple random sampling was used to sample farmers. A total of 125 farmers were selected from each region of the country to participate in the survey. Survey data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and an online questionnaire was also used to target farmers from remote locations. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and means were used to analyse background information about the respondents. Correlation and regression analysis methods were then used to analyse the relationships between study variables and also to test the predicting power of the independent, moderating and mediating variables on the dependent variable. Structural Equation Modelling was used to conduct confirmatory analyses on the variable relationships and develop the model for e-agriculture usage in Uganda. Key findings revealed that that there was a positive significant relationship between Expectancy and Instrumentality (Beta=.519, P<0.001); there was a positive significant relationship between Expectancy and e-agriculture usability in Uganda (Beta=.196, P<0.001); there was a positive significant relationship between Instrumentality and Intrinsic Motivation of farmers in Uganda (Beta=.304, P<0.001); there was a positive significant relationship between Intrinsic Motivation and e-agriculture usability in Uganda (Beta=.505, P<0.001); there was a positive significant relationship between Context of Use and Intrinsic Motivation of farmers in Uganda (Beta=.245, P<0.001); there is a positive significant relationship between Efficiency and Intrinsic Motivation of farmers in Uganda (Beta=.396, P<0.001); Context of Use inversely moderates the relationship between Expectancy and Instrumentality; Instrumentality partially mediates the relationship between Context of Use and Intrinsic Motivation; Instrumentality & Intrinsic Motivation partially mediates the relationship between Expectancy and E-Agriculture Usability. The study proposes a model for e-agriculture usability indicating that for improved usability of e- agriculture platforms in Uganda, there is need to increase Expectancy, Instrumentality, Intrinsic Motivation, Context of Use, Efficiency, and Expectancy since all these variables were found to have a positive effect on their dependent variables in the final model explaining usability of e- agriculture by Ugandan farmers. It is recommended that stakeholders implementing e-agriculture usability should try to enhance the expectancy and Instrumentality of farmers as well as intrinsic motivation. This will encourage farmers use the technology in anticipation of better returns. In addition, there is need to address of user characteristics, technological issues, organizational environment, social environment and economic environment pertinent for the technology to be accepted. There is need for system developers to address issues of efficiency since it was found to tremendously influence usability of e-agriculture. They need to ensure that e-agriculture platforms accomplish tasks in the shortest time possible, while at the same time helping farmers to save costs. Government policy geared towards promoting usability of e-agriculture platforms should take into consideration intrinsic motivational factors that were found to enhance usability other than extrinsic motivational factors.
Description
A thesis submitted to ICT University as part of the requirements for the award of the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Information Communication Technology
Keywords
E-agriculture, farmers, Expectancy, Instrumentality, Intrinsic Motivation
Citation
kyeyune, R. (2017). A model for usability of e-agriculture by farmers in Uganda. Unpublished PHD, Thesis. Makerere University Business School