Future of Food: Journal on Food

Information and Communication Technologies Dissemination in Enhancing Crop Production Capacity: Moderating Role of Country Governance Index

MOHANAD MOHAMMED SUFYAN GHALEB
Department of Management, College of Business, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
AMJID IQBAL
Department of Food Sciences and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Food, Qassim University, PO Box 6622, Buraidah, 51452, Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Information and communication technology enhances crop production by providing farmers with real-time data, market insights, and efficient resource management tools. It raises innovation, improves productivity, and supports sustainable agricultural practices. Therefore, the study objective was to test the impact of information and communication technology on crop production in GCC countries with a moderating effect on the country governance index. Longitudinal quantitative data were collected from six GCC countries from 2005 to 2024 from word development indicators. Unit root, panel cointegration, and panel ARDL statistical analysis were conducted to test the study hypothesis. The study results show the positive and significant influence of information and communication dimensions on crop production of GCC countries. Control variables also positively and statistically significantly influence crop production. Country governance also significantly strengthens the association of information and communication technology and crop production. Research with specific findings highlighted a need for the policymakers of GCC countries to invest in advanced information and communication technologies to enhance agricultural productivity. Strengthening governance frameworks could further optimize the impact of technology on crop production to sustain agricultural growth. This study as per the researchers’ knowledge, is the first study that explored of role of the corporate governance index between information and communication technology and crop production in the GCC region. The research with this extended framework provides novel insights into how governance enhances the effectiveness of digital advancements in agriculture production.

Keywords : Information and Communication Technology, Agriculture Productivity, Crop Production, GCC Countries. .
Mark Speckien
Louisiana Tech University
Mark Speckien
Louisiana Tech University
International students are more likely to experience mental health issues and increased stress. Mental health is often surrounded by negative societal stigmas that act as barriers to seeking support and tend to lead to greater mental health concerns. International students tend to seek socioemotional support from other international student peers rather than seeking out counseling services. However, this study shows that LGBTQIA+ international students were less likely to seek socioemotional support from other international student peers due to fear of their sexual orientation being discovered and their families finding out about their identity. This study examines how LGBTQIA+ international students talk about their experiences on and off campus in relations to their socioemotional well-being. Specifically, this study sought to better understand the complexities of LGBTQIA+ students’ identities, and the challenges they faced in terms of their socioemotional well-being. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Keywords : international students, socioemotional well-being, mental health, identity development, intersectionality, LGBTQIA