ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1256: VI International Conference Postharvest Unlimited
From the lab to the supermarket - success factors in the commercial implementation of postharvest technologies – an analysis using case study methodology |
| Author: | M. Madrid |
| Keywords: | postharvest, technology, diffusion of innovation, adoption |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1256.3 |
| Abstract:
Over the last 50 years we have seen some postharvest technologies being adopted very quickly, while others have taken 20-30 years to implement commercially. The current study analyzes the key factors that influence speed of adoption of postharvest technologies. It uses the theoretical frame of diffusion of innovation theory. We have used case study methodology taken from qualitative methods of social science research. Some of the key factors for technology adoption involve: financial upside to user (grower, shipping company, importer or retailer) in the form of potential savings, increased productivity or unrealized opportunity, current cost of the problem to be solved, existing alternatives, easiness to incorporate new technology in the existing supply chain processes, price of the technology vs. existing alternatives, changes in regulations, concentration of the number of users (many small or few large), cannibalization of existing technology and possible adverse reaction, and concentration of technological supply. Examples are given and discussed from fresh produce industry case studies. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
