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on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Kumar, Kishore G.; Kumar, Shalander; Rao, K.P.C.; Patil, Mukund; Jat, M.L. |
| Abstract: | Following the successful demonstration of the iSAT system's ability to generate data-driven, science-based weather advisories, efforts were undertaken to scale the system and improve its capabilities. The focus was on four key areas; expanded crop coverage to cover a wider range of crops, flexible information access to accommodate local information and user preferences, targeted and timely advisories tailored to specific crop growth stages and delivered at the right time and multilingual and multi-format advisories (SMS, mobile app, WhatsApp, website) to reach a diverse audience. To achieve these goals, the ISAT system was modified in several ways. Location-specific information was incorporated through lookup tables, mobile apps, and direct input, the decision-making process was refined to generate advisories that align with farmers' specific needs, advisories were produced in two formats: SMS-friendly and detailed versions for mobile apps, WhatsApp, and websites and options were added to translate advisories into local languages. The challenges and limitations in realising the full potential of context-specific advisories include availability of reliable and consistent data, tailoring advisories to specific conditions that requires further refinement and adaptation, effective delivery through various mobile devices and platforms, government policies on bulk SMS and data privacy, language barriers requiring translation and localization for reaching a wider audience and user awareness and capacity to utilize them information effectively. By addressing these challenges, the ISAT system can continue to evolve and provide even more valuable and impactful services to farmers and agricultural stakeholders. |
| Keywords: | digital innovation; Information and Communication Technologies; crop management; advisory services |
| Date: | 2024–11–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:cgiarp:162942 |
| By: | Claudio Vitari (LEST - Laboratoire d'Economie et de Sociologie du Travail - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CERGAM de Toulon - Centre d'Études et de Recherche en Gestion d'Aix-Marseille/Equipe de recherche de Toulon - CERGAM - Centre d'Études et de Recherche en Gestion d'Aix-Marseille - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - UTLN - Université de Toulon - IAE Toulon - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Toulon - UTLN - Université de Toulon); Roxana Ologeanu-Taddei (TBS - Toulouse Business School); Farkhondeh Hassandoust (University of Auckland [Auckland]) |
| Abstract: | This paper addresses the issue of Trust in Information Technology (TIT) and its conceptualization within the field of Information Systems. While the relevance of TIT is emphasized in literature, this concept has often been contextualized and treated in specific terms (i.e. particularized) by prior research. The outcome is a multiplication of definitions and measures of TIT each theoretically suited to a specific context and of a limited scope. This multiplication rises issues of conceptual ambiguity and a lack of consensus in understanding TIT. We propose to standardize and to lump together TIT measures to redefine the concept of TIT. By levering Large Language Model (LLM) application, item rating technique and item sorting technique, we advance six content validated complementary measurement scales of TIT. |
| Keywords: | Construct development, Conceptualization, Content validity, Trust in Information Technology |
| Date: | 2025–08–14 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05251802 |
| By: | Kuosmanen, Natalia; Kaitila, Ville; Kuusi, Tero; Kässi, Otto; Maczulskij, Terhi; Pajarinen, Mika |
| Abstract: | Abstract This report examines the factors shaping productivity in Finland’s private service industries. Specifically, we focus on the link between capital intensity and labor productivity, as well as the allocation of labor. In addition, the report highlights the roles of global megatrends, such as offshoring, digital adoption and generative AI, in productivity development. Using firm- and industry-level data, three broad patterns emerge. First, capital intensity in Finnish service industries is consistently below that of peer countries and is closely associated with weaker productivity. Second, firms systematically employ fewer workers than implied by profit-maximizing conditions, with gaps especially pronounced in knowledge-intensive services. Third, digital adoption is uneven: firms with broader use of digital technologies perform better, while many smaller and traditional providers lag behind. Scenario analysis suggests that generative AI could raise economic growth if paired with capital investment, while the offshoring of services does not appear to improve productivity but may support employment and reshape the composition of the workforce. The findings indicate that Finland’s service productivity challenges are long-standing and structural rather than short-term fluctuations. |
| Keywords: | Capital intensity, Digitalization, Offshoring, Productivity, Service industries |
| JEL: | C23 F14 L80 O14 O30 O33 O47 |
| Date: | 2025–09–24 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rif:report:167 |
| By: | Kuosmanen, Natalia; Kaitila, Ville; Kuusi, Tero; Maczulskij, Terhi |
| Abstract: | Abstract Productivity growth in Finland’s service industries has fallen behind that of peer countries, weakening the economy’s growth potential. This policy brief summarizes key findings from ETLA’s recent research on the challenges and opportunities for service-sector productivity. The analyses show that capital intensity in services is low, firms employ fewer workers than profit-maximizing conditions would imply, and digital adoption remains uneven across firms and industries. Service imports increase employment but do not improve productivity. Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) could provide a new source of growth, but its impact will depend on skills and technology adoption. The brief presents policy recommendations to support investment, skills development, and structural reforms to strengthen productivity in the service sector. |
| Keywords: | Capital intensity, Digitalization, Offshoring, Productivity, Service industries |
| JEL: | F14 L80 O14 O30 O33 O47 |
| Date: | 2025–09–24 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rif:briefs:164 |
| By: | Abdelaziz, Fatma; Tarek, Abdallah |
| Abstract: | The rapid adoption of mobile phones in agricultural and production systems provides an avenue to unlock the potential of digital innovations to transform smallholder agriculture in low- and middle-income countries. Previous research highlights how the adoption of digital tools can enhance farmers' profits and marketing outcomes by improving market efficiency through better supply and demand matching. Other research similarly emphasizes how digital innovations can facilitate agricultural transformation and transform the functioning of markets by addressing multiple forms of institutional and market failures. However, despite these advantages and the availability of numerous digital tools for agriculture, their adoption remains low and uneven across Africa, where agricultural markets are still underdeveloped. Smallholder farmers in developing countries, including Egypt, face challenges in accessing essential information, which limits their ability to leverage market opportunities and maximize profitability. Given the limited understanding of the primary challenges hindering Egyptian farmers' adoption of digital technologies and the strategies needed to enhance their access to these innovations, this paper aims to utilize an extensive survey of smallholder farmers in Egypt to: (i) examine the constraints to adoption of digital agricultural tools in Egypt; and (ii) assess the impact of farmer training programs on the awareness and adoption of digital tools, using the Mahsoly mobile application and its new price monitoring tool as a case study. |
| Keywords: | digital innovation; farming systems; mobile phones; smallholders; Egypt; Africa; Eastern Africa; Northern Africa |
| Date: | 2024–09–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:menawp:152510 |
| By: | Patil, Mukund; Burry, Sukanya; Gogumalla, Pranuthi; Rozario, Gilbert; Katakamshetti, Nagendra; Shaik, Jameeruddin; Choudhari, Pushpajeet |
| Abstract: | ICRISAT is developing a digital platform for soil health monitoring (MSOIL) by integrating digital tools for data sourcing, digital soil mapping to provide a site-specific information on soil nutrient status and management options. The platform aims to integrate soil data from diverse sources, analyze it using AI/ML algorithms, and deliver customized recommendations to enhance soil health and optimize agricultural productivity. This is evolving document specifying the requirements for developing the digital platform. |
| Keywords: | digital technology; soil analysis; soil surveys; soil maps |
| Date: | 2024–11–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:cgiarp:162941 |
| By: | Kumar, Shalander; Kumar, G. Kishore; Roa, K.P.C. |
| Abstract: | Smallholder agriculture, especially in the global South, is highly vulnerable to climate variability and change; hence, the aim of the Digital Innovation initiative was to equip farmers with actionable weather-based agro advisories to improve farm management and mitigate climate risks. This working paper explores the delivery of contextualized climate information to farmers in Rayagada and Gajapati districts of Odisha. The region is characterized by predominantly rainfed agriculture and high vulnerability to climate variability. The objective was to enhance farmers' resilience by providing tailored climate advisories and understand the dynamics of their decision-making across various farming stages while using agro advisories. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving surveys with 200 farmers across four blocks of two districts and focus group discussions to gather comprehensive insights into their decision-making processes. The study found that 79% of farmers were male, while 21% were female, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive advisories. Decision-making was influenced by a complex interplay of traditional knowledge, market dynamics, climate advisories, and social influences. Digital climate services, such as those offered by ISAT, have shown to be valuable, with 82% of farmers accessing these advisories. Adoption rates varied significantly across different farming activities, with 67% adoption for supporting crop sowing decisions and 69% for crop protection, compared to lower uptake in land preparation (29%) and irrigation (24%). For decisions on crop and cultivar choice, farmers didn’t intend to use the weather-based agro-advisories yet. Probably, advisories based on the seasonal climate forecast needed for decisions on crop and cultivar choices in the past either were not available or less reliable, resulting in the reluctance of farmers to use such advisories. The findings suggest that climate advisory services should be more localized, culturally sensitive, and integrated with traditional practices to address farmers' diverse needs effectively. By bridging the gap between modern advisory systems and traditional wisdom, these integrated services have the potential to enhance farm-level resilience and contribute meaningfully to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Odisha. |
| Keywords: | digital innovation; Information and Communication Technologies; crop management; India |
| Date: | 2024–11–20 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:cgiarp:163043 |