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Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) - Call for papers!

Influence of Group Dynamics Factors on Technology Transfer Effectiveness Among Members and Non-members of Soybean Grower Groups in Chiangmai, Thailand

(Thailand), Doctor of Philosophy in Extension Education (Universiti Pertanian Malaysia)

Dissertation Abstract:

 

This study determined whether or not the group dynamics factors adapted from selected group behavior models influence the technology transfer effectiveness (TTE) oft he soybean grower group (SGG) farmers and non-soybean grower group (non-SGG) farmers in Chiangmai, Thailand.

The correlational study employed the survey methodology. The data collection tools included personal interview and self-administered questionnaire. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 200 soybean farmers from 24 villages and 24 extension agents within the Chiangmai province. Descriptive and inferential statistics (frequency, t-test, Pearson's correlation. multip le regression, and discriminant analysis) were used to analyze the data.

The study revealed that the TTE in both SSG and non-SSG members was high. In comparison. the SGG members' TTE was significantly higher than the non-SSG members. With the use of adapted Robbins' group behavior model, the study provided a significant comparative insight in explaining the predictors of SGG and non-SGG members' TTE. External situation factor was found as the most important predictor factor of SGG members· TTE, and attitude toward change agent contributed the most innuential variable within this factor. In addition, exposure to groups/organizations was found to be the only variable in gro up process factor to be a significant predictor of both SGG and non-SGG members. The study also revealed that the three most important attributes of the high-TTE were those who had more exposure to groups/organizations, had a higher degree of group cohesiveness, and higher total annual income.

The study also found that the theory of group dynamics, especially the adapted Robbins' group behavior model, can serve as a functional model in predicting the TTE of group approach in the rural Thai context.