Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Acceptance of government-sponsored agricultural information systems in China: the role of government social power

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Information Systems and e-Business Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Though many governments enthusiastically supported agricultural information systems, little is known about the role of governments in farmers’ acceptance of such systems. The present study examines the influences of government social power on farmers’ intention to use government-sponsored agricultural information systems. A research model reflecting the relationships among technology acceptance, government social power, and adoption intention was developed and tested using data collected from 1,504 subjects in the Jiangxi province of China. Our findings show that the role of government social power should not be ignored, as it produced a substantial improvement in the variance explained in intention to use (from 57.1 to 70.8 %). This work also analyzed the influences of gender on the acceptance intention. Based on empirical findings, we offer managerial suggestions for the adoption of agricultural information systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbott E, Gregg J (2000) What happens when information technologies are forced on rural community organizations? The case of Iowa State University extension. Having all the right connections: telecommunications and rural viability, pp 229–256

  • Alvarez J, Nuthall P (2006) Adoption of computer based information systems: the case of dairy farmers in Canterbury, NZ, and Florida, Uruguay. Comput Electron Agric 50(1):48–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aubert BA, Schroeder A, Grimaudo J (2012) IT as enabler of sustainable farming: an empirical analysis of farmers’ adoption decision of precision agriculture technology. Decis Support Syst 54(1):510–520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bagozzi R, Yi Y (1988) On the evaluation of structural equation models. J Acad Mark Sci 16(1):74–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biong H, Nygaard A, Silkoset R (2010) The influence of retail management’s use of social power on corporate ethical values, employee commitment, and performance. J Bus Ethics 97(3):341–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blignaut P (2009) A bilateral perspective on the digital divide in South Africa. Perspect Global Dev Technol 8(4):581–601

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bongiovanni R, Lowenberg-DeBoer J (2004) Precision agriculture and sustainability. Precis Agric 5(4):359–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Busch P, Wilson DT (1976) An experimental analysis of a salesman’s expert and referent bases of social power in the buyer-seller dyad. J Mark Res 13(1):3–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cartwright D (1959) A field theoretical conception of power. In: Cartwright D (ed) Studies in social power. University of Michigan, Ann Anbor

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang L, Hau KT, Guo AM (2001) The effect of self-consciousness on the expression of gender views 1. J Appl Soc Psychol 31(2):340–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Close AG, Kukar-Kinney M (2010) Beyond buying: motivations behind consumers’ online shopping cart use. J Bus Res 63(9–10):986–992

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CNNIC (2010) The 2009 Survey Report on Internet Development in Rural China

  • Cronin FJ, McGovern PM, Miller MR, Parker EB (1995) The rural economic development implications of telecommunications: evidence from Pennsylvania. Telecommun Policy 19(7):545–559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crosno JL, Freling TH, Skinner SJ (2009) Does brand social power mean market might? Exploring the influence of brand social power on brand evaluations. Psychol Mark 26:91–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis FD (1989) Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Q 13(3):319–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis FD, Bagozzi RP, Warshaw PR (1989) User acceptance of computer technology: a comparison of two theoretical models. Manag Sci 35(8):982–1003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis FD, Bagozzi RP, Warshaw PR (1992) Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation to use computers in the workplace 1. J Appl Soc Psychol 22(14):1111–1132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demirkan H, Goul M (2013) Taking value-networks to the cloud services: security services, semantics and service level agreements. Inf Syst e-Bus Manag 11(1):51–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erchul WP, Raven BH (1997) Social power in school consultation: a contemporary view of French and Raven’s bases of power model. J Sch Psychol 35(2):137–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrell OC, Skinner SJ (1988) Ethical behavior and bureaucratic structure in marketing research organizations. J Mark Res 25(1):103–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Fishbein M, Ajzen I (1975) Belief, attitude, intention, and behavior: an introduction to theory and research. Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA

  • Fiske STB (2006) Social psychology: handbook of basic principles, 2nd edn. Guilford Press, New York, pp 678–692

    Google Scholar 

  • Flor AG (1993) The informatization of agriculture 1. Asian J Commun 3(2):94–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • French JRP, Raven B (2001) The bases of social power. In: Modern classics of leadership, vol 2, pp 309–326

  • French JRP Jr, Snyder R (1959) Leadership and interpersonal power. In: Cartwright D (ed) Studies in social power. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

    Google Scholar 

  • Gang F, Ping Z (2012) The characteristics of farmers and paying willingness for information. J Agric Sci 4(4):163–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaski JF (1984) The theory of power and conflict in channels of distribution. J Mark 48(3):9–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gefen D, Karahanna E, Straub DW (2003) Inexperience and experience with online stores: the importance of TAM and trust. IEEE Trans Eng Manag 50(3):307–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodhue DL, Lewis W, Thompson R (2012) Does PLS have advantages for small sample size or non-normal data? MIS Q 36(3):891–1001

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodrich K, Mangleburg TF (2009) Adolescent perceptions of parent and peer influences on teen purchase: an application of social power theory. J Bus Res 63(12):1328–1335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gregg J, LaRose R, Strover S, Straubhaar J (2006) Understanding the broadband gap in rural America. International Communication Association, Dresden

    Google Scholar 

  • Gundlach GT, Cadotte ER (1994) Exchange interdependence and interfirm interaction: research in a simulated channel setting. J Mark Res 31(4):516–532

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heeks R (2002) Information systems and developing countries: failure, success, and local improvisations. Inf Soc 18(2):101–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henseler J, Ringle CM, Sinkovics RR (2009) The use of partial least squares path modeling in international marketing. Adv Int Mark 20:277–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Hipple P, Ramsey M (2000) Telecommunications: a complex prescription for rural health care providers. In: Korsching PF, Hipple PC, Abbott EA (eds) Having all the right connections: telecommunications and rural viability, pp 173–200

  • Hosman L (2010) Policies, partnerships, and pragmatism: lessons from an ICT-in-education project in rural Uganda. Inf Technol Int Dev 6(1):48–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu C-L, Chang K-C, Chen M-C (2013) The impact of website quality on customer satisfaction and purchase intention: perceived playfulness and perceived flow as mediators. Inf Syst e-Bus Manag 10(4):549–570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarvenpaa SL, Todd PA (1996) Consumer reactions to electronic shopping on the world wide web. Int J Electron Commer 1(2):59–88

    Google Scholar 

  • John G (1984) An empirical investigation of some antecedents of opportunism in a marketing channel. J Mark Res 21(3):278–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joseph R (2001) Understanding the digital divide. Prometheus 19(4):333–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz R, Suter S (2009) Estimating the economic impact of the broadband stimulus plan. Columbia institute for tele-information working paper

  • Kaynak E, Kara A (2002) Consumer perceptions of foreign products: an analysis of product-country images and ethnocentrism. Eur J Mark 36(7/8):928–949

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keil M, Tan BC, Wei K–K, Saarinen T, Tuunainen V, Wassenaar A (2000) A cross-cultural study on escalation of commitment behavior in software projects. MIS Q 24(2):299–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kizilaslan N (2006) Agricultural information systems: a national case study. Libr Rev 55(8):497–507

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kohli AK (1989) Effects of supervisory behavior: the role of individual differences among salespeople. J Mark 53(4):40–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kornberg A, Perry SD (1966) Conceptual models of power and their applicability to empirical research in politics. Polit Sci 18(1):52–70

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kridel D, Dolk D (2013) Automated self-service modeling: predictive analytics as a service. Inf Syst e-Bus Manag 11(1):119–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LaRose R, Strover S, Gregg JL, Straubhaar J (2011) The impact of rural broadband development: lessons from a natural field experiment. Gov Inf Q 28(1):91–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leckie GJ (1996) Female farmers and the social construction of access to agricultural information. Libr Inf Sci Res 18(4):297–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewin K, Cartwright D (1952) Field theory in social science: selected theoretical papers. Tavistock, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Zhao C, Qin X, Liu G (2011) Study on the demands for agricultural and rural informationization in china and its strategic options. Comput Comput Technol Agric IV:580–591

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin CA (1999) Online-service adoption likelihood. J Advert Res 39(2):79–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin K-Y, Lu H-P (2011) Why people use social networking sites: an empirical study integrating network externalities and motivation theory. Comput Hum Behav 27(3):1152–1161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu C (2012) The myth of informatization in rural areas: the case of China’s Sichuan Province. Gov Inf Q 29(1):85–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu H-P, Hsiao K-L (2010) The influence of extro/introversion on the intention to pay for social networking sites. Inf Manag 47(3):150–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mackrell D, Kerr D, von Hellens L (2009) A qualitative case study of the adoption and use of an agricultural decision support system in the Australian cotton industry: the socio-technical view. Decis Support Syst 47(2):143–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin BL, Abbott E (2011) Mobile phones and rural livelihoods: diffusion, uses, and perceived impacts among farmers in rural Uganda. Inf Technol Int Dev 7(4):17–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell RK, Agle BR, Wood DJ (1997) Toward a theory of stakeholder identification and salience: defining the principle of who and what really counts. Acad Manag Rev 22(4):853–886

    Google Scholar 

  • Moga LM, Constantin DL, Antohi VM (2012) A regional approach of the information technology adoption in the Romanian agricultural farms. Informatica 16(4):29–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Moon JW, Kim YG (2001) Extending the TAM for a world-wide-web context. Inf Manag 38(4):217–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunnally J (1978) Psychometric theory. McGrew-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozowa VN (1995) The nature of agricultural information needs of small scale farmers in Africa: the Nigerian example. Q Bull Int Assoc Agric Inf Special 40(1):15–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiang CZW, Hanna NK (2009) Rural informatization in China. World Bank Publications, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao N (2007) A framework for implementing information and communication technologies in agricultural development in India. Technol Forecast Soc Chang 74(4):491–518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao SS (2008) Social development in Indian rural communities: adoption of telecentres. Int J Inf Manag 28(6):474–482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Röling NG (1988) Extension science: information system in agricultural development. CUP, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-García I, Currás-Pérez R (2011) Effects of dissatisfaction in tourist services: the role of anger and regret. Tour Manag 32(6):1397–1406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sassenberg K, Ellemers N, Scheepers D (2012) The attraction of social power: the influence of construing power as opportunity versus responsibility. J Exp Soc Psychol 48(2):550–555

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevens JM, Kevin Steensma H, Harrison DA, Cochran PL (2005) Symbolic or substantive document? The influence of ethics codes on financial executives’ decisions. Strateg Manag J 26(2):181–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suri PK, Sushil (2006) E-governance through Strategic alliances—a case of agricultural marketing information system in India (Indian Institute of Management Bangalore). IIMB Manag Rev 18(4):389–401

    Google Scholar 

  • Swasy JL (1979) Measuring the bases of social power. Adv Consum Res 6(1):340–346

    Google Scholar 

  • Sykes TA, Venkatesh V, Gosain S (2009) Model of acceptance with peer support: a social network perspective to understand employees’ system use. MIS Q 33(2):371–393

    Google Scholar 

  • Telecom J (2011) Information village (main page). http://www.xxty.cn/gyxxty/gsjshao/index.html

  • Teo TSH, Pok SH (2003) Adoption of WAP-enabled mobile phones among internet users. Omega 31(6):483–498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trevino LK (1986) Ethical decision making in organizations: a person-situation interactionist model. Acad Manag Rev 11(3):601–617

    Google Scholar 

  • Valentine S (2009) Ethics training, ethical context, and sales and marketing professionals’ satisfaction with supervisors and coworkers. J Pers Sell Sales Manag 29(3):227–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesh V, Davis FD (2000) A theoretical extension of the technology acceptance model: four longitudinal field studies. Manag Sci 46(2):186–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesh V, Morris MG (2000) Why don’t men ever stop to ask for directions? Gender, social influence, and their role in technology acceptance and usage behavior. MIS Q 24(1):115–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesh V, Morris M (2003) User acceptance of information technology: toward a unified view. Manag Inf Syst Q 27(1):425–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren M (2007) The digital vicious cycle: links between social disadvantage and digital exclusion in rural areas. Telecommun Policy 31(6–7):374–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe DM (1959) Power and authority in the family. Studies in social power. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, pp 99–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfinbarger M, Gilly MC (2001) Shopping online for freedom, control, and fun. Calif Manag Rev 43(2):34–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xia J (2010) Linking ICTs to rural development: China’s rural information policy. Gov Inf Q 27(2):187–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xia J, Lu TJ (2008) Bridging the digital divide for rural communities: the case of China. Telecommun Policy 32(9–10):686–696

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhong C-B, Magee JC, Maddux WW, Galinsky AD (2006) Power, culture, and action: considerations in the expression and enactment of power in East Asian and Western societies. Research on managing groups and teams, vol 9. Elsevier Science, Greenwich, pp 53–73

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the grants from the NSFC (71332001, 71061160505) and the Specialised Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (20120142110042). This work was also supported by the TD-SCDMA Joint Innovation Lab, Hubei Mobile Co., China Mobile Group and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, 52902-0900206134.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Economics and Management, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China

    Yunfan Lu

  2. School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Yaobin Lu & Zhao Pan

  3. College of Business Administration, University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX, 78539, USA

    Bin Wang & Hong Qin

Authors
  1. Yunfan Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yaobin Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bin Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zhao Pan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hong Qin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yaobin Lu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lu, Y., Lu, Y., Wang, B. et al. Acceptance of government-sponsored agricultural information systems in China: the role of government social power. Inf Syst E-Bus Manage 13, 329–354 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10257-014-0235-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10257-014-0235-6

Keywords