Smart Farming and Digital Competence on Farmer Performance through Innovative Work Behavior

Vollständiger Abstract

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Purpose: This study investigates how smart farming solutions and digital competence influence Farmer Performance, focusing on rice farmers in Sungai Pinang Village, Banyuasin Regency, Indonesia, and evaluating Innovative Work Behavior as an intervening mechanism. Methodology: Using an explanatory design, this quantitative study gathered cross-sectional survey data from a purposively selected group of 115 active rice farmers. Construct measurements relied on validated instruments drawn from prior literature, with hypothesis testing executed via Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4.0. Results: The findings revealed that neither Smart Farming Solutions nor Digital Competence directly affected Farmer Performance. Instead, both drivers positively enhanced Innovative Work Behavior, which subsequently boosted Farmer Performance and acted as a complete mediator across these relationships. Conclusions: Farmer performance is enhanced primarily through Innovative Work Behavior, indicating that technological adoption and digital capabilities improve agricultural outcomes only when translated into innovative practices. Limitations: Because the dataset relies on 115 rice farmers from one village using a cross-sectional approach, the findings should be generalized cautiously and offer restricted insights into longitudinal trends. Contributions: By positioning Innovative Work Behavior as a crucial bridge connecting Smart Farming Solutions and Digital Competence with Farmer Performance, this study enriches both the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Resource-Based View (RBV).​ Pragmatically, the results guide decision-makers to align technology deployment, digital skill training, and innovation-focused capacity building within agricultural initiatives.