Barriers to creating digital platform ecosystems in the agrifood sector: A cross-country analysis

Abstract

This study investigates the barriers to the creation of digital platform ecosystems in the agrifood sector across Brazil, Argentina, and Türkiye. Drawing on 35 expert interviews and adopting an exploratory qualitative design, the analysis identifies seven barrier dimensions: (1) digital literacy and cultural specificities, (2) institutional context, (3) data security and privacy, (4) technological infrastructure, (5) economic barriers, (6) actor diversity, and (7) governance. The findings reveal distinct cross-country configurations, with Brazil exhibiting multidimensional barriers, Argentina constrained by socio-institutionalfragility, and Türkiye hampered by economic and governmental limitations. Notably, governance concerns emerge as secondary or marginal across cases, while structural and socio-technical constraints dominate actors’ perceptions. The results offer theoretical insights by suggesting that, in nascent agrifood digital platform ecosystems within developing contexts, foundational conditions such as infrastructure, capabilities, and institutional stability may precede governance design as primary challenges. The study contributes to the literature on digital transformation in agriculture and offers actionable insights for policymakers and ecosystem builders seeking inclusive digitalization in the agrifood sector. Findings emphasize the need for public programs that simultaneously address structural and capability-related barriers. Investments in rural connectivity, targeted digital training initiatives, and accessible credit mechanisms are critical to lowering entry barriers.