Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Agricultural Development: Factors Associated With Computer Utilization at Area Farmers Organizations in Peninsular Malaysia

The utilization of Information and Communication Technology [ICT] is believed to bring positive impact on productivity and competitiveness in all sectors including the agricultural sector. This is because ICT promotes efficiency through cost and time saving and enhances information synergies through...

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Main Author:	Omar, Bahiyah
Format:	Thesis
Language:	English English
Published:	2003
Subjects:	Information storage and retrieval systems - Agriculture - Malaysia
Online Access:	http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/10238/1/FBMK_2003_1.pdf
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id	my-upm-ir.10238
record_format	uketd_dc
spelling	my-upm-ir.102382024-03-22T04:15:33Z Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Agricultural Development: Factors Associated With Computer Utilization at Area Farmers Organizations in Peninsular Malaysia 2003-01 Omar, Bahiyah The utilization of Information and Communication Technology [ICT] is believed to bring positive impact on productivity and competitiveness in all sectors including the agricultural sector. This is because ICT promotes efficiency through cost and time saving and enhances information synergies through sharing of information and pooling of resources. However, Malaysian agricultural sector is still lagging behind in ICT development as compared to the manufacturing and banking sectors. Since ICT has always been associated with computer technology, this study was carried out to determine factors associated with computer utilization in one of the important organizations in Malaysian agricultural sector that is the farmers' organization. The factors examined in this study include individual, organizational and technological factors. The selection of the independent variables was based on Rogers' model of diffusion of innovation. Meanwhile, computer utilization was measured in terms of intensity, frequency and diversity of use. The relationships between independent variables and computer utilization were also sought in determining factors that influence computer utilization at farmers' organizations. Data collection was carried out via mail by using self-administered questionnaires. A total of 209 respondents from 23 area farmers organizations [PPKs] were involved in this study. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] version 10.1 and the findings were presented using descriptive statistics and Spearman Rho correlation. The findings of this study revealed that the levels of respondents' attitude towards computer and their perception on technological factors were high. The levels of computer literacy and facilitating conditions were moderate. Meanwhile, the level of communication channels use was low. The findings also showed that respondents with better education, more positive cognitive attitude, higher computer literacy [i.e: computer knowledge and skills], more usage of communication channels [i.e: interpersonal and mass media], better perception on relative advantages of computer and lower perception of computer complexity, utilize computer more in the organization. In conclusion, computer utilization could be improved by encouraging participations in ICT programs, providing sufficient and up-to-date computer trainings to all individuals, acculturating ICT related-activities in the organization and forming IT unit or employing dedicated person(s) to provide internal supervision on computer use and to deal with hardware or software difficulties. Information storage and retrieval systems - Agriculture - Malaysia 2003-01 Thesis http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/10238/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/10238/1/FBMK_2003_1.pdf text en public masters Universiti Putra Malaysia Information storage and retrieval systems - Agriculture - Malaysia Faculty of Modern Language and Communication Ismail, Narimah English
institution	Universiti Putra Malaysia
collection	PSAS Institutional Repository
language	English English
advisor	Ismail, Narimah
topic	Information storage and retrieval systems - Agriculture - Malaysia
spellingShingle	Information storage and retrieval systems - Agriculture - Malaysia Omar, Bahiyah Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Agricultural Development: Factors Associated With Computer Utilization at Area Farmers Organizations in Peninsular Malaysia
description	The utilization of Information and Communication Technology [ICT] is believed to bring positive impact on productivity and competitiveness in all sectors including the agricultural sector. This is because ICT promotes efficiency through cost and time saving and enhances information synergies through sharing of information and pooling of resources. However, Malaysian agricultural sector is still lagging behind in ICT development as compared to the manufacturing and banking sectors. Since ICT has always been associated with computer technology, this study was carried out to determine factors associated with computer utilization in one of the important organizations in Malaysian agricultural sector that is the farmers' organization. The factors examined in this study include individual, organizational and technological factors. The selection of the independent variables was based on Rogers' model of diffusion of innovation. Meanwhile, computer utilization was measured in terms of intensity, frequency and diversity of use. The relationships between independent variables and computer utilization were also sought in determining factors that influence computer utilization at farmers' organizations. Data collection was carried out via mail by using self-administered questionnaires. A total of 209 respondents from 23 area farmers organizations [PPKs] were involved in this study. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] version 10.1 and the findings were presented using descriptive statistics and Spearman Rho correlation. The findings of this study revealed that the levels of respondents' attitude towards computer and their perception on technological factors were high. The levels of computer literacy and facilitating conditions were moderate. Meanwhile, the level of communication channels use was low. The findings also showed that respondents with better education, more positive cognitive attitude, higher computer literacy [i.e: computer knowledge and skills], more usage of communication channels [i.e: interpersonal and mass media], better perception on relative advantages of computer and lower perception of computer complexity, utilize computer more in the organization. In conclusion, computer utilization could be improved by encouraging participations in ICT programs, providing sufficient and up-to-date computer trainings to all individuals, acculturating ICT related-activities in the organization and forming IT unit or employing dedicated person(s) to provide internal supervision on computer use and to deal with hardware or software difficulties.
format	Thesis
qualification_level	Master's degree
author	Omar, Bahiyah
author_facet	Omar, Bahiyah
author_sort	Omar, Bahiyah
title	Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Agricultural Development: Factors Associated With Computer Utilization at Area Farmers Organizations in Peninsular Malaysia
title_short	Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Agricultural Development: Factors Associated With Computer Utilization at Area Farmers Organizations in Peninsular Malaysia
title_full	Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Agricultural Development: Factors Associated With Computer Utilization at Area Farmers Organizations in Peninsular Malaysia
title_fullStr	Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Agricultural Development: Factors Associated With Computer Utilization at Area Farmers Organizations in Peninsular Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed	Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Agricultural Development: Factors Associated With Computer Utilization at Area Farmers Organizations in Peninsular Malaysia
title_sort	information and communication technology (ict) for agricultural development: factors associated with computer utilization at area farmers organizations in peninsular malaysia
granting_institution	Universiti Putra Malaysia
granting_department	Faculty of Modern Language and Communication
publishDate	2003
url	http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/10238/1/FBMK_2003_1.pdf
_version_	1804888528868343808

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Agricultural Development: Factors Associated With Computer Utilization at Area Farmers Organizations in Peninsular Malaysia

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