Short answer
To drive adoption of urban farming innovations, design and market strategies must holistically address user knowledge, social influence, perceived control, and the perceived utility and usability of the technology.
- Field
- Innovation & Markets
- Source
- Frontiers in Sociology (2026)
- Method
- Quantitative survey research using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
- Sample
- 346 participants
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Combining psychological, social, and technological factors through integrated behavioral and technology acceptance models significantly predicts the intention to adopt urban farming innovations. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2026 study published in Frontiers in Sociology. Using Quantitative survey research using structural equation modeling (sem). with 346 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: To drive adoption of urban farming innovations, design and market strategies must holistically address user knowledge, social influence, perceived control, and the perceived utility and usability of the technology.
Integrated TPB and TAM models predict 70% of urban farming adoption intention
Combining psychological, social, and technological factors through integrated behavioral and technology acceptance models significantly predicts the intention to adopt urban farming innovations.
Frontiers in Sociology · 2026
Key Findings
- 01Knowledge, subjective norms, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use significantly influence the intention to adopt urban farming.
- 02Perceived ease of use mediates the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and behavioral control, and adoption intention.
- 03Subjective norms are influenced by perceived ease of use and perceived control.
Application
Design takeaway
To drive adoption of urban farming innovations, design and market strategies must holistically address user knowledge, social influence, perceived control, and the perceived utility and usability of the technology.
How to apply
When developing new urban farming technologies or promoting their adoption, conduct user research to understand existing knowledge, social norms, and perceptions of usefulness and ease of use. Tailor educational materials and product design to address these factors.
Project actions
- 01When researching a new product, consider how users' existing knowledge and social environment might affect their willingness to adopt it.
- 02Use surveys to gather data on user perceptions of usefulness, ease of use, and social influence.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Integration of two robust theoretical frameworks (TPB and TAM) for a comprehensive analysis.
- +Use of advanced statistical modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze complex relationships.
Limitations
The survey was conducted in one specific city, so the results might be different in other places with different cultures or levels of development.
Reliability & validity
The study employed PLS-SEM, a robust method for analyzing complex relationships in survey data, contributing to the internal validity. The use of a structured questionnaire and trained facilitators aimed to enhance data reliability. However, external validity might be limited by the specific geographical and cultural context.
Think critically
How might cultural differences or varying levels of technological infrastructure in different urban settings alter the relative importance of subjective norms versus perceived usefulness in driving adoption?
Design Principles
"Innovation adoption is a function of perceived benefits, ease of use, social influence, and individual control, all mediated by user knowledge and attitudes."
Understanding the multifaceted drivers of innovation adoption is crucial for designing effective market entry strategies and fostering widespread uptake of new technologies. This research provides a framework for identifying key leverage points in influencing user behavior within a specific market segment.
What This Means for Your Design
To get people to use new urban farming tools, you need to make sure they know about it, think it's a good idea, feel like their friends and family would approve, believe they can actually do it, and find the tools easy and helpful to use.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the factors influencing user adoption of a new technology or system in your design project.
- 2.Use the integrated TPB-TAM framework as a model for your own user research into adoption barriers and enablers.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
Research by Yuniarsih et al. (2026) indicates that the adoption of new technologies, such as those used in urban farming, is significantly influenced by a combination of psychological, social, and technological factors. Their study, integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Technology Acceptance Model, found that user knowledge, subjective norms, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use all play a critical role in shaping adoption intentions. This highlights the importance of a holistic approach in design, considering not only the functionality of a product but also its perceived value, usability, and social context.
Source
Frontiers in Sociology
Employing the structural equation modeling in assessing urban farming innovation adoption: examining urban society’s acceptance of the theory of planned behavior and technology acceptance model frameworks
journal · 2026
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about integrated tpb and tam models predict 70% of urban farming adoption intention?
- To drive adoption of urban farming innovations, design and market strategies must holistically address user knowledge, social influence, perceived control, and the perceived utility and usability of the technology. Evidence: Frontiers in Sociology (2026).
- Why does "Integrated TPB and TAM models predict 70% of urban farming adoption intention" matter for design?
- Understanding the multifaceted drivers of innovation adoption is crucial for designing effective market entry strategies and fostering widespread uptake of new technologies. This research provides a framework for identifying key leverage points in influencing user behavior within a specific market segment.
- How can designers apply this research?
- To drive adoption of urban farming innovations, design and market strategies must holistically address user knowledge, social influence, perceived control, and the perceived utility and usability of the technology.
- What were the main findings?
- Knowledge, subjective norms, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use significantly influence the intention to adopt urban farming.. Perceived ease of use mediates the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and behavioral control, and adoption intention.. Subjective norms are influenced by perceived ease of use and perceived control.
- What research method was used?
- Quantitative survey research using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). with 346 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2026 journal from Frontiers in Sociology.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing new urban farming technologies or promoting their adoption, conduct user research to understand existing knowledge, social norms, and perceptions of usefulness and ease of use. Tailor educational materials and product design to address these factors.
- What are the limitations?
- Findings are specific to the cultural and socio-economic context of Makassar City, Indonesia, and may not be directly generalizable to other regions without further validation.