Journal to publish
13/06/2026
Lighter reading
.Since you want something light publishable, and useful as a future research platform, I would start with TAM/UTAUT in the palm oil sector before moving into automation or Industry 4.0. The literature is still relatively thin, especially at the plantation worker level.
1. Technology Acceptance Among Oil Palm Estate Workers Using TAM
Why read it first? Because it is almost exactly your intended area and uses TAM directly in oil palm plantations.
Reference Norakmal Izzat Azizan (2019), Technology Acceptance among Oil Palm Estate Workers by Using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).
Key details
Location: Jasin, Melaka, Malaysia
Sample: 80 oil palm plantation workers
Theory: TAM
Variables:
IVs: Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), Attitude, Behaviour
DV: Technology Acceptance
Analysis: Regression
Main finding:
Behaviour was the strongest predictor (β = 0.684)
PU and PEOU also influenced acceptance but more weakly.
Potential extension Add:
Perceived Supervisor Support
Training Effectiveness
Organizational Support
This would immediately become DBA- and publication-friendly.
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2. Critical Factors for Oil Palm Plantation Workers' Acceptance and Use of Mechanization Tools (UTAUT)
This is probably the most useful paper for your current thinking because it links mechanization adoption with worker acceptance.
Reference Nawi et al. (2017), Critical Factors for Oil Palm Plantation Workers Acceptance and Use of Mechanization Technovation Tools.
Key details
Location: Malaysia
Sample: 126 plantation workers
Theory: Revised UTAUT
Analysis:
Reliability Analysis
Correlation Analysis
Regression Analysis
Variables:
Performance Expectancy
Effort Expectancy
Social Influence
Facilitating Conditions
Use/Acceptance of Mechanization Tools
Finding:
Several UTAUT factors significantly influenced acceptance and use of mechanized plantation equipment.
Potential extension You could test:
Organizational Factors → Perceived Supervisor Support → Technology Acceptance
This combines your current interests very naturally.
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3. Acceptance of Technology Among Oil Palm Smallholders (TAM)
This is a simpler TAM study and a good example if you want to learn questionnaire development.
Reference Muhsien Badrul Isham (2016), Acceptance of Technology Amongst Oil Palm Smallholders.
Key details
Location: Malaysia
Sample: 108 smallholders
Theory: TAM
Variables:
Perceived Usefulness
Perceived Ease of Use
Self-Satisfaction
Attitude
DV:
Technology Acceptance
Method:
Questionnaire survey
Quantitative analysis
Potential extension Replace "smallholders" with:
Plantation employees
Field supervisors
Mill operators
and add supervisory support as a mediator.
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If I were in your position
I would write a conceptual paper or systematic literature review with this title:
> Factors Influencing Technology Acceptance in the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry: A Review of TAM and UTAUT Studies
The advantages are:
No company permission required.
No data collection required initially.
Publishable as a review paper.
Builds your expertise in TAM/UTAUT.
Creates a foundation for future empirical studies.
Then your next empirical paper could be:
> The Mediating Role of Perceived Supervisor Support in Technology Acceptance Among Palm Oil Plantation Employees
That topic is narrow enough for a beginner, publishable, and directly connected to your current DBA interests. It also gives you something that is your own paper, separate from helping other people's DBA projects.
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