The impact of automation and digitalization on management and labour in greenhouse operations in German horticulture – a mixed methods investigation

The lack of skilled labour, rising energy prices and structural change are challenging greenhouse horticulture in Germany.
Technological innovations can contribute to solving these problems.
However, most research on agricultural innovation focuses on the farmer’s perspective.
However, the adaptation of new technologies directly affects and changes the working environment and daily tasks of employees.
Our study focuses on both ornamental farm managers and employees and aims to answer the research question of how digitalization and automation affect them and their work.
We have adopted a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative empirical fieldwork in the ornamental plant sector.
For the qualitative study, we visited eight ornamental farms and interviewed both managers and employees.
We found that both managers and workers have similar and generally positive views on the impact of digitalization and automation on the ornamental plant sector.
For example, they expect an increase in efficiency, a reduction in injuries and a decrease in the need for (mainly) unskilled labour.
A quantitative online survey of n=131 people provided data for a regression analysis in the style of a technology acceptance model.
The intention to use a new technology is strongly influenced by whether or not it is perceived to be useful.
Managers and employees of greenhouse horticulture companies show the same attitude.
Our study provides insights into how the sector can deal with ongoing technological change in terms of the organization of management and work processes.

International Symposium on New Technologies for Sustainable Greenhouse Systems: GreenSys2023

K. Sparke, S. Schröder, M. Lehberger

labour, technology acceptance, qualitative content analysis, regression

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1426.47