Exploring Smallholder Farmers' Open Innovation Capability: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

This study determined the capability of small vegetable farmers in the Philippines to participate in an open innovation activity. Open innovation offers numerous advantages over the closed system and adopting it provides numerous benefits for the small farmers and the agriculture sector. Using knowledge generation, conversion, and sharing as the base framework, this study is premised on the idea that open innovation is facilitated by increased access to new knowledge. Data from a survey of 266 small vegetable farmers in Region IVA of the Philippines was analyzed using descriptive statistics and partial least square structural equation modeling. The results show that vegetable farmers can generate tacit knowledge and convert it into explicit knowledge. This, together with their innovation network, positive attitude towards innovation, and financial support have a positive effect on the farmers' ability to participate in open innovation. Considering these, the innovation platform approach can be used to leverage the knowledge process and innovation networks to enhance the collaborative innovation process.