School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences - Theses
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ItemStepwise adoption of a complex agricultural technology( 1989)Previous studies of technology transfer have frequently treated the process as being controlled by the providers of the technology, with minimal involvement of the potential users. However, technology transfer is likely to be more effective and beneficial when based on a model with gives more thought to the needs and demands of the potential adopter. Complex technologies have been regarded previously as monolithic: adopted as a whole, but more slowly than simpler technologies. A complex technology is redefined as one which can be broken up into separate technological components, each of which may be adopted separately. It is proposed that adoption of a complex technology, as defined, occurs in a stepwise manner. Components are adopted in some order, which reflects the adopter's perception of their value to his operation. Not all components are taken up by all adopters. The theory was tested using, as a case study, the Tatura Permanent Beds system, a complex technology for irrigation cropping, in Northern Victoria and Southern New South Hales. The first three years of use of the technology by the 43 identifiable adopters was examined. It was found that adoption of the components of Tatura Permanent Beds occurred in a stepwise manner, but more components were adopted in the first year of use than in later years. It was also found that different farmers adopted different numbers of components, and adopted them . in different orders. Attempts were made to discover demographic, attitudinal and cognitive reasons for these differences. Possible refinements of the theory are suggested, and implications for extension discussed.
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