Title: Developing industry-wide information management capabilities in British Columbia's tree fruit industry

Authors: Svan Lembke; Youry Khmelevsky; Lee Cartier

Addresses: Okanagan College, 1000 KLO Rd, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4X8, Canada ' Okanagan College, 1000 KLO Rd, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4X8, Canada ' Okanagan College, 1000 KLO Rd, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4X8, Canada

Abstract: This study provides a critical evaluation of the BC tree fruit industry's information management capabilities. It introduces a method to identify weaknesses across the value chain and make recommendations for improvements. Information from in-depth interviews and documentation provided by major industry stakeholders is used to identify and describe the type of data collected and used by the industry. This is analysed using the CMMI maturity model for technology development. A map of the industry's information architecture is created and shows six main information management weaknesses, including raw data gaps in fruit production, sales and marketing, and water use and irrigation management. As an industry composed primarily of small and mid-size businesses, these weaknesses make it increasingly difficult for BC's tree fruit growers to collaborate within the industry cluster and adopt the technology innovations necessary to compete with large, often vertically integrated producers from other regions.

Keywords: tree fruit industry; agriculture; industry information management; collective entrepreneurship; cluster; innovation; British Columbia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2025.143824

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2025 Vol.54 No.2, pp.153 - 174

Received: 30 Jul 2021
Received in revised form: 01 Nov 2022
Accepted: 03 Nov 2022
Published online: 09 Jan 2025 *

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