Technology Adoption

Starting in 2007, I worked with researchers at Federation University (formerly through WIDCORP and the University of Ballarat) to study the adoption of new technologies among primary producers.  We have analysed the results of several large-scale surveys with primary producers in Victoria and grains producers throughout Australia. 

My unsupervised learning method is used extensively by the Australian Department of Environment and Primary Industries to confidently track long-term trends in technology adoption in the sector. We have produced many peer and expert reviewed papers detailing the results and implications of this research.

In 2012, I presented the methodology and results at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (University of Tasmania) and at the Environmental and Climate Change Research Group (University of Newcastle).

In addition, I worked with the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources to understand technology adoption within the wine industry throughout Australia, including both vineyards and winemakers.  To do this, I created a structural equation model to determine the effect that factors like Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness had on adoption of four different technologies using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2).  Just like in my thesis research, we found that there was a considerable social influence to technology adoption within this industry.

Many publications have come out of this research, including:

10. Graymore, Michelle; Schwarz, Imogen and Brownell, Briana. Identifying farming styles to encourage farmer engagement in climate adaptation and mitigation programs [online]. Rural Extension and Innovation Systems Journal, Vol. 12, No. 1, 2016: 32-42.

9. Graymore, Michelle; Schwarz, Imogen and Brownell, Briana. “Development of quick tool for farmer segmentation: Practical uses for extension work”. Rural Extension and Innovation Systems Journal, Vol. 11, No. 1, 2015: 33-42.

8. Graymore, Michelle, Imogen Schwarz, and Briana Brownell. "Using Typology Research for Engagement Strategies: A Quick Tool to Enable Farmer Segmentation." Rural Extension and Innovation Systems. Proc. of 2015 SA Australasia-Pacific Extension Network Conference, South Australia, Adelaide. 2015

7. Schwarz, I., Park, D., Graymore, M. and Brownell, B. (2013) Farmer knowledge, attitudes and mitigation towards greenhouse gas emissions: Findings from the Victorian Farmer Surveys on Climate Change 2009 and 2011. Presented at: Greenhouse 2013, 8-11 October, Adelaide, Australia.

6. Schwarz, I., Brownell, B. and Graymore, M. (2013). The Victorian Farmer Typology for Climate Adaptation: Protocol and Results. April 2013. Horsham VIC: Horsham Campus Research Precinct, University of Ballarat. 

5. Schwarz, I., Park, D., Graymore, M., Brownell, B. and Lehmann, L. (2012) Farmer Climate Change Attitudes, Knowledge and Adaptation Behaviour in Victoria, Australia. Presented at NCCARF Climate Adaptation in Action 2012, 26-28 June, Melbourne

4. Schwarz, I., Park, D., Graymore, M., Brownell, B. and Lehmann, L. (2012) Rain, Policy and Natural Variability: Changes in Farmer Climate Change Attitudes, Knowledge and Adaptation Behaviour in Victoria, Australia. Presented at Adaptation Futures 2012 International Conference on Climate Adaptation, 29-31 May, Tucson, Arizona.

3. Schwarz, I., Graymore, M., Brownell, B. & Lehmann, L. (2012). The Victorian farmer survey on climate change 2011. May 2012. Horsham: Horsham Campus Research Precinct (HCRP), University of Ballarat.

2. Schwarz, I., Graymore, M. & Brownell, B. (2011). Farmer typology for climate adaptation: Broad acre farmers (Grains & Mixed). Horsham VIC: Horsham Campus Research Precinct (HCRP), University of Ballarat.

1. MacRae-Williams, Pam. Schwarz, Imogen., Brownell, Briana. Understanding Farmer Knowledge and Attitudes to Climate Change, Climate Variability and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Rep. no. 1/09. Water in Drylands Collaborative Research Program (WIDCORP), Jan. 2009