Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T17:23:19.976Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Computer Adoption and Use of Information Services by North Carolina Commercial Farmers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

William A. Amponsah*
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, North Carolina A&T State University

Abstract

The extent of information use by farmers for farm management is tracked in terms of computer adoption and usefulness, and the use of professional providers of information services. The study is based on a survey conducted in 1991, on North Carolina, as part of a regional project involving about fourteen states. The results revealed a low rate of computer adoption by the farmers surveyed. However, computer adoption and usefulness were explained by farm size, educational attainment and farm income. Also farmers' use of professional services, such as that provided by tax preparers and extension agents were positively influenced by farm size, age and education level.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Anderson, Arthur, and Company. The Management Difference: Future Information Needs of Commercial Farmers and Ranchers. Arthur Anderson and Company, 1982.Google Scholar
Batte, Marvin T., Jones, Eugene, and Schnitkey, Gary D.. “Computer Use by Ohio Commercial Farmers.Amer. J. Agr. Econ. 72(1990):935-45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, Thomas, and Colins, Arthur. “Large Commercial Family Farms Information Needs and Sources.” In: Report of the National Extension Study Committee. University of Missouri, 1978.Google Scholar
Byerlee, D., and dePolanco, E.H.. “Farmers Stepwise Adoption of Technological Packages: Evidence from the Mexican Altiplano.Amer. J. Agr. Econ., 68(1986):519-27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Caffey, R.H., and Kazmierczak, R.F. Jr. “Factors Influencing Technology Adoption in a Louisiana Aquaculture System.J. Agr. and Applied Econ. 26(1994):264-74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Capps, Oral Jr., and Kramer, Randall A.. “Analysis of Food Stamp Participation using Qualitative Choice Models.Amer. J. Agr. Econ. 67(1985):4959.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Casewell, M., and Zilberman, D.. “The Choices of Irrigation Technologies in California.Amer. J. Agr. Econ. 67(1985):224-34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Casparie, J. A. “Fundamental Concepts of Information Theory.Managerial Accounting. 49(1968):810.Google Scholar
Chavas, Jean P., and Pope, Rulon D.. “Information: Its Measurement and Valuation.Amer. J. Agr. Econ. 66(1984):704710.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cochrane, W.W. 77te Development of American Agriculture: A Historical Analysis. University Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN., 1979.Google Scholar
Davis, Gordon B.Management Information Systems: Conceptual Foundations. Structure and Development. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1974.Google Scholar
Davis, Gordon B., and Olson, Margrethe. Management Information Systems: Conceptual Foundations. Structure and Development. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1985.Google Scholar
Debertin, David L., Rades, Robert J., and Harrison, Gerald A.. “Estimating the Returns to Information: A Gaming Approach.Amer. J. Agr. Econ. 57(1975):316-21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dobson, William D.Computer Simulation Models: The Need for an Application Orientation.Canada J. Agr. Econ. 18(1978): 175-78.Google Scholar
Eisgruber, Ludwig M.Development in the Economic Theory of Information.Amer. J. Agr. Econ. 60(1978):901-05.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Farm Futures. Milwaukee WI: AgriData Resources. No. 5, Mid-March, 1988.Google Scholar
Gould, J.P.Risk, Stochastic Preference And The Value of Information.J. Econ. Theory 8(1974):6468.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hardekar, J., and Anderson, J.. “Why Farm Recording Systems Are Doomed To Failure.Rev. Marketing Agr. Econ. 49(1981): 199202.Google Scholar
Harper, J.K., Rister, M.E., Mjelde, J.W., Drees, B.M., and Way, M.O.. “Factors Influencing the Adoption of Insect Management Technology.Amer. J. Agr. Econ. 72(1990):9981005.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holt, John. “Managing Change In Extension.Amer. Agr. Econ. 71(1989):869-82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eugene, Jones, Batte, Marvin, and Schnitkey, Gary. “A Socioeconomic Analysis of Marketing Information Usage Among Ohio Fruit Procedure.S. J. Agr. Econ. (1990):99107.Google Scholar
King, Robert. “Management Information Systems for Agribusiness Firms: Managerial Problems and Research Opportunities.Agribusiness. 2(1986):455-66.3.0.CO;2-I>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
King, R.P., and Sonka, S.T.Management Problems of Farm and Agricultural Firms.” Discussion Paper 44, Strategic Management Research Center, University of Minnesota. November, 1985.Google Scholar
Lazarus, William F., and Smith, T.R.. “Adoption of Computers and Consultant Services by New York Dairy Farmers.J. Dairy Sc. 70(1988): 1667-75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lazarus, William F., Streeter, Deborah, and Giraudo, Eduardo Jofre. “Impact of Management Information Systems on Dairy Farm Profitability”. Paper presented at AAEA Annual Meeting, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 30 July-2 Aug, 1989.Google Scholar
Lucas, H.C. Jr. “User Reactions and the Management of Information Services.Management Informatics. 3(1973):165-72.Google Scholar
Marshak, Jacob. “Economics of Enquiring, Communication and Deciding.Amer. Econ. Rev. 58(1968): 118.Google Scholar
McDonough, Adrian. Information Economics and Management Systems. New York: McGraw-Hill Company, 1963.Google Scholar
Press, S.J., and S. Wilson: “Choosing Between Logistic and Discriminant Analysis.J. Amer. Sta. Assoc. 73(1978):699705.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Putler, Daniel S., and Zilberman, David. “Computer Use in Agriculture: Evidence from Tulare County, California.Amer. J. Agr. Econ. 70(1988):790802.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pyndick, R.S., and Rubinfeld, D.L.Econometric Models and Economic Forecasts. 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1981.Google Scholar
Rogers, Everett. Diffusion of Innovations. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., 1983.Google Scholar
Sen, James A., Information Systems in Management. Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1982.Google Scholar
Willimack, Diane K.The Financial Record-Keeping Practices of U.S Farm Operators and their Relationship to Selected Operator Characteristics.Paper presented at AAEA annual meeting, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. 30 July-2 August 1989.Google Scholar