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Decision support systems adoption by emerging farmers in the wine industry : a case study of the Western Cape, South Africa
Author(s)
Simbanegavi, Godwishes
Date Issued
2012
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
The wine industry is complex hence the farmers and emerging farmers who operate in it are
faced with environmental, social and economic constraints. Even though various issues have
been pointed out to be contributing to the slow uptake of ICT by emerging farmers (Cox,
1995), McCartney (2007) however pointed out that DSSs can enhance gains in economic,
social and environmental benefits. This study investigates how wine farmers use ICTs to
support decision making in order to assist emerging farmers adopt and use the ICTs for
decision making. Decision making is crucial; it is one of the most important tasks of
management in running a successful business (Dralega, 2007). Emerging farmers have to
operate in a complex environment and ICT use can lead to the effective use of information to
support decision making in the industry. Experienced farmers use ICT tools to support
decision making and use information to make informed decisions in their operations.
Emerging farmers are at a distinct disadvantage as they have no previous knowledge of
farming and have to find their way on a day to day basis. This has the potential of reducing
profitability and sustainability of the emerging farmers who have entered the industry. The
main research question is: "how can emerging farmers utilise ICT for decision making in the
wine industry in the Breede River Valley region in the Western Cape?" Interviews were done
to gather primary data. In this case it is information about the technological and information
needs of farmers which might help them in decision making. The literature is reviewed in this
study to gather secondary data. The study took an inductive approach and the
epistemological stance in this study is interpretivism. The case study was used as strategy
for the study. The interviewees emphasised the importance of ICTs in their decision making;
they mentioned that without the use of ICTs in decision their businesses will crumble. In
order to prosper in their business, emerging farmers need to invest in ICTs as this will also
assist in improving livelihoods of the farmers and their workers.
faced with environmental, social and economic constraints. Even though various issues have
been pointed out to be contributing to the slow uptake of ICT by emerging farmers (Cox,
1995), McCartney (2007) however pointed out that DSSs can enhance gains in economic,
social and environmental benefits. This study investigates how wine farmers use ICTs to
support decision making in order to assist emerging farmers adopt and use the ICTs for
decision making. Decision making is crucial; it is one of the most important tasks of
management in running a successful business (Dralega, 2007). Emerging farmers have to
operate in a complex environment and ICT use can lead to the effective use of information to
support decision making in the industry. Experienced farmers use ICT tools to support
decision making and use information to make informed decisions in their operations.
Emerging farmers are at a distinct disadvantage as they have no previous knowledge of
farming and have to find their way on a day to day basis. This has the potential of reducing
profitability and sustainability of the emerging farmers who have entered the industry. The
main research question is: "how can emerging farmers utilise ICT for decision making in the
wine industry in the Breede River Valley region in the Western Cape?" Interviews were done
to gather primary data. In this case it is information about the technological and information
needs of farmers which might help them in decision making. The literature is reviewed in this
study to gather secondary data. The study took an inductive approach and the
epistemological stance in this study is interpretivism. The case study was used as strategy
for the study. The interviewees emphasised the importance of ICTs in their decision making;
they mentioned that without the use of ICTs in decision their businesses will crumble. In
order to prosper in their business, emerging farmers need to invest in ICTs as this will also
assist in improving livelihoods of the farmers and their workers.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012.
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