Assessing the impact of competitive behaviors on the adoption of genetically modified seeds by Illinois vegetable growers

This research assessed the effects of competitive and technology adoption attitudes of Illinois vegetable producers on the adoption of genetically modified seeds (GM seeds). The central question of this study was “How do competing and technology-adopting attitudes of Illinois vegetable producers affect the adoption of genetically modified seeds?” The study was conducted in three phases: (i) analysis of the vegetable industry, (ii) competition and technology adoption of GM seeds, and (iii) assessment of growers' competing behaviors on adoption of GM seeds.; A mailed survey collected information about the producers and their activities. The variables selected provided information on the industry and its competitive structure; growers' resources, and capabilities; and grower competitive attitudes and technology preferences. Simple parametric techniques characterized the demographic status of the industry and its structure, and the growers' capabilities, resources, and behaviors. The Mann-Whitney's test elucidated the differences among adopters and non-adopters. K-means cluster analysis technique helped assess the growers' differences in regard adoption decisions of GM seeds. Finally, logistic regression analyses investigated the impact of each independent variable on the adoption of GM seeds.; This investigation revealed that competition is perceived by vegetable growers as an influential driver on the adoption of GM seeds. A comparative study between adopters and non-adopters found significant differences between the two groups as it related to their attitudes toward GM seed adoption. Both groups had dissimilar views with regard to the perceived benefits of GM seeds, familiarity with GM seeds, and opinion about GM seeds. The cluster analysis unveiled a relationship between adoption of GM seeds, and growers' crop acreage and marketing group. Logistic regression analyses effectively captured the effects and measured the impact of demographic, competitive, and adopting variables on GM seed adoption.; This study demonstrated that competing behaviors among growers were influential drivers in the adoption of GM seeds. Competing and technology adoption attitudes combined with demographic variables were useful parameters to characterize the adoption process of GM seeds. Furthermore, the analysis of adoption, through logistic regression models, using both behavioral and demographic variables, can help elucidate the diffusion process of GM seeds and other related technologies.