Farmers’ fertilizer reduction technologies adoption, information search behavior and perceived value: a systems thinking perspective

Farmers’ fertilizer reduction technologies adoption, information search behavior and perceived value: a systems thinking perspective | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Farmers’ fertilizer reduction technologies adoption, information search behavior and perceived value: a systems thinking perspective Zimei Liu, Chen Wang This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6963312/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 8 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Accelerating farmer adoption of fertilizer reduction technologies is essential for global sustainable agriculture, yet faces persistent implementation gaps in developing economies. Adoption constitutes a dynamic process influenced by information search behavior and perceived value. However, existing studies predominantly rely on linear models that overlook the adaptive nature of this process driven by feedback mechanisms, limiting the generalizability and practical utility of findings. To address this gap, this study develops a causal loop model integrating information search theory and perceived value theory from a systems thinking perspective, mapping interrelationships between fertilizer reduction technologies adoption, information search behavior, and perceived value. Using survey data from 179 Chinese households, the study combines structural equation modeling (SEM) to quantify pathways with system dynamics (SD) simulation to capture feedback processes. Scenario simulations project long-term adoption trajectories under varying intervention strategies. Key findings reveal that information search exerts a net negative effect on fertilizer reduction technologies adoption by simultaneously elevating perceived benefits and perceived risks of technologies adoption, with the latter dominating. Conversely, technologies adoption stimulates further information search by enhancing its perceived benefits. Simulation results highlight inherent instability in adoption levels without intervention. Notably, scenario simulations demonstrate that simultaneously reducing information search costs and strengthening the positive spillovers of information search is effective in stabilizing high adoption levels. This research establishes that feedback-aware policy design is essential for sustainable diffusion of such technologies. These insights offer actionable pathways for policymakers to promote fertilizer reduction technologies adoption and sustainable agricultural transitions in smallholder-dominant systems. Social science/Environmental studies Social science/Science technology and society fertilizer reduction technologies adoption information search behavior perceived value system dynamics sustainable agriculture transition Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Supplementarymaterialforreview.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 30 Nov, 2025 Reviews received at journal 18 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 26 Sep, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 25 Sep, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 14 Sep, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 08 Sep, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 28 Aug, 2025 First submitted to journal 28 Aug, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6963312","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":516038300,"identity":"ee10cfa1-1d53-4d56-a55f-0835419d125b","order_by":0,"name":"Zimei 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