Information systems implementation within US agribusiness: an applications approach

The complexity and sophistication of information system depends upon the information processing needs at the firm level. Agribusinesses tend to be heterogeneous in terms of firm size, operator characteristics, and opportunities for strategic behavior. Thus, information system hardware and software sophistication is expected to differ significantly even within similar industries. This study employs survey data from US agribusiness firms in order to determine the factors that contribute to hardware and software sophistication. Sophistication levels relative to hardware and software many times are a function of firm size and sales. It is also shown that a manager needs to recognize the level of sophistication in order to gauge competitive positioning against firm rivals. To be competitive within specific agribusiness sectors a firm must maintain or acquire the requisite information technology of its rivals.