Analysing blockchain adoption in beekeeping: application of theoretical models and their effectiveness

In 2022, the EU coordinated action “From the Hives” (Honey 2021–2022) revealed that 46% of imported honey in the EU did not comply with the “Honey Directive” and is suspected of adulteration. Nowadays the blockchain ecosystem is a digital technology that could be used to trace honey, assisting in fr...

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Main Authors: Selene Ivette Ornelas Herrera, Yasmina Baba, Yamna Erraach, Emna Ouertani, Lamia Arfa, Seval Mutlu Çamoğlu, Tiziana de-Magistris, Zein Kallas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1566341/full
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author Selene Ivette Ornelas Herrera
Selene Ivette Ornelas Herrera
Yasmina Baba
Yamna Erraach
Yamna Erraach
Emna Ouertani
Emna Ouertani
Lamia Arfa
Lamia Arfa
Seval Mutlu Çamoğlu
Tiziana de-Magistris
Zein Kallas
Zein Kallas
author_facet Selene Ivette Ornelas Herrera
Selene Ivette Ornelas Herrera
Yasmina Baba
Yamna Erraach
Yamna Erraach
Emna Ouertani
Emna Ouertani
Lamia Arfa
Lamia Arfa
Seval Mutlu Çamoğlu
Tiziana de-Magistris
Zein Kallas
Zein Kallas
author_sort Selene Ivette Ornelas Herrera
collection DOAJ
description In 2022, the EU coordinated action “From the Hives” (Honey 2021–2022) revealed that 46% of imported honey in the EU did not comply with the “Honey Directive” and is suspected of adulteration. Nowadays the blockchain ecosystem is a digital technology that could be used to trace honey, assisting in fraud reduction and ensuring the authenticity of the botanical and geographical origin of the honey. Nevertheless, its implementation is limited by stakeholders’ acceptance, particularly beekeepers’ decisions. With the aim of identify principal factor affecting beekeepers blockchain adoption, this study applied two theoretical models at the farm level, related to technology adoption: The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Technology Adoption Model (TAM). In both models, an additional construct identified as digital maturity was included, analysing their impact on the intention to adopt blockchain through the PLS-SEM method. General findings show that all constructs of both extended models influence the intention to adopt blockchain. Especially, the extended TAM model showed better results than extended TPB according to the explained variance (64.0 and 62.0% respectively). In these models, the perceived behavioral control of TPB and the usefulness perception of TAM were the major predictors of intention to adopt blockchain. Moreover, the digital maturity of farmers was a pivotal factor in enhancing the adoption of such innovations. The findings indicated that implementing blockchain necessitates the provision of training and resources to enhance beekeepers’ competencies, thereby augmenting their trust and proficiency in utilizing digital technologies. Furthermore, the creation of user-friendly interfaces is critical for acceptance, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative process between blockchain designers and beekeepers.
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issn 2571-581X
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
spelling doaj-art-dc098039d20140059098fd39cb5b715b2025-08-20T02:20:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-04-01910.3389/fsufs.2025.15663411566341Analysing blockchain adoption in beekeeping: application of theoretical models and their effectivenessSelene Ivette Ornelas Herrera0Selene Ivette Ornelas Herrera1Yasmina Baba2Yamna Erraach3Yamna Erraach4Emna Ouertani5Emna Ouertani6Lamia Arfa7Lamia Arfa8Seval Mutlu Çamoğlu9Tiziana de-Magistris10Zein Kallas11Zein Kallas12Centre de Recerca en Economia i Desenvolupament Agroalimentari (CREDA-IRTA), Castelldefels, SpainUniversitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, SpainUniversity of Barcelona, Barcelona, SpainNational Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia (INAT) – University of Carthage, Carthage, TunisiaRural Economy Laboratory (LER), National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Carthage, TunisiaRural Economy Laboratory (LER), National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Carthage, TunisiaHigher School of Agriculture of Mograne (ESAM) – University of Carthage, Carthage, TunisiaNational Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia (INAT) – University of Carthage, Carthage, TunisiaRural Economy Laboratory (LER), National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Carthage, TunisiaDepartment of Economics, Ünye Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Ordu University, Ordu, TürkiyeAragon Agrifood Research and Technology Center (CITA), Zaragoza, SpainCentre de Recerca en Economia i Desenvolupament Agroalimentari (CREDA-IRTA), Castelldefels, SpainUniversitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, SpainIn 2022, the EU coordinated action “From the Hives” (Honey 2021–2022) revealed that 46% of imported honey in the EU did not comply with the “Honey Directive” and is suspected of adulteration. Nowadays the blockchain ecosystem is a digital technology that could be used to trace honey, assisting in fraud reduction and ensuring the authenticity of the botanical and geographical origin of the honey. Nevertheless, its implementation is limited by stakeholders’ acceptance, particularly beekeepers’ decisions. With the aim of identify principal factor affecting beekeepers blockchain adoption, this study applied two theoretical models at the farm level, related to technology adoption: The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Technology Adoption Model (TAM). In both models, an additional construct identified as digital maturity was included, analysing their impact on the intention to adopt blockchain through the PLS-SEM method. General findings show that all constructs of both extended models influence the intention to adopt blockchain. Especially, the extended TAM model showed better results than extended TPB according to the explained variance (64.0 and 62.0% respectively). In these models, the perceived behavioral control of TPB and the usefulness perception of TAM were the major predictors of intention to adopt blockchain. Moreover, the digital maturity of farmers was a pivotal factor in enhancing the adoption of such innovations. The findings indicated that implementing blockchain necessitates the provision of training and resources to enhance beekeepers’ competencies, thereby augmenting their trust and proficiency in utilizing digital technologies. Furthermore, the creation of user-friendly interfaces is critical for acceptance, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative process between blockchain designers and beekeepers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1566341/fullblockchain (BCT)beekeepers’ adoptiontechnology acceptance model (TAM)theory of planned behavior (TPB)digital maturity (DM)
spellingShingle Selene Ivette Ornelas Herrera
Selene Ivette Ornelas Herrera
Yasmina Baba
Yamna Erraach
Yamna Erraach
Emna Ouertani
Emna Ouertani
Lamia Arfa
Lamia Arfa
Seval Mutlu Çamoğlu
Tiziana de-Magistris
Zein Kallas
Zein Kallas
Analysing blockchain adoption in beekeeping: application of theoretical models and their effectiveness
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
blockchain (BCT)
beekeepers’ adoption
technology acceptance model (TAM)
theory of planned behavior (TPB)
digital maturity (DM)
title Analysing blockchain adoption in beekeeping: application of theoretical models and their effectiveness
title_full Analysing blockchain adoption in beekeeping: application of theoretical models and their effectiveness
title_fullStr Analysing blockchain adoption in beekeeping: application of theoretical models and their effectiveness
title_full_unstemmed Analysing blockchain adoption in beekeeping: application of theoretical models and their effectiveness
title_short Analysing blockchain adoption in beekeeping: application of theoretical models and their effectiveness
title_sort analysing blockchain adoption in beekeeping application of theoretical models and their effectiveness
topic blockchain (BCT)
beekeepers’ adoption
technology acceptance model (TAM)
theory of planned behavior (TPB)
digital maturity (DM)
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1566341/full
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