Influencing Factors In The Decision-Making Process Of Energy Saving Technologies In Horticulture

摘要

In recent years, the German horticultural sector, particularly greenhouse production, has been facing increasing competition. Continuously increasing energy prices constitute a significant economic burden for growers. With an international agreement to reduce CO2 emissions, there is an urgent need to identify alternative heating technologies and more efficient energy recovery systems in greenhouse production. However, newly invented energy efficient technologies in horticulture are generally adopted hesitantly by growers. Often this results in the non-implementation of technical innovations. Therefore, it is important to know which parameters influence individual decision-making processes. The main objective of this study was to define those factors that promote and restrain the uptake of energy efficient technologies in horticulture. Forty experts were interviewed in a qualitative and quantitative survey. An analysis of the interviews reveals that many growers need to improve their production methods due to increasing demands from traders and consumers. As consumers are focusing more on environmental protection, energy conservation and sustainability, long-term investments in new technologies are necessary. Economic factors, the personality of the grower and the business organiza?tion restrain the adoption processes the most.