CHATBOT AS A TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL SUPPORT TOOL FOR URBAN GARDENS IN THE BRAZILIAN SEMIARID REGION
Abstract
This study developed and evaluated the initial acceptability of the Hortalix chatbot as a digital technical and managerial support tool for urban gardens in the municipality of Petrolina, located in the Brazilian semiarid region. The research was conducted using the Design Science Research approach, involving artifact development and evaluation in a real-use context. The study included the 12 producers responsible for all active urban gardens in the municipality during the analyzed period, corresponding to the total local target population and therefore constituting a census survey. The system demonstration was conducted in an assisted format, considering participants’ socioeducational profile. The evaluation was based on the constructs of the Technology Acceptance Model, encompassing perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, behavioral intention to use, and information quality. The results indicated high initial acceptance, particularly regarding ease of use and recognition of the tool’s technical value for crop management. Information reliability and relevance were also positively assessed. However, structural factors, especially internet connectivity limitations, may influence long-term adoption. The findings suggest that the chatbot represents a promising applied innovation for strengthening urban agriculture in the Brazilian semiarid region.
Author Biographies
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), with an MBA in Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship and Startup Creation, and Project Management, as well as a postgraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence from FACUMINAS. Currently, he is a master’s student in Dynamics of Development in the Semiarid Region at the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco. He has served as a junior enterprise manager and participated in a technological extension project focused on the development of chatbots for interactive communication with clients.
Pós-doutor em Ecologia Humana e Gestão Socioambiental pela Universidade do Estado da Bahia. Doutor em Gestão pela Universidade de Évora, Portugal, com especialização em Ciências Econômicas e Processo Decisório. Mestre em Economia pela Universidade Federal do Ceará e graduado em Ciências Econômicas pela Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. É Professor Associado da Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco e atua em Agricultura Digital, Economia Agrícola, Desenvolvimento Regional, Gestão do Agronegócio e Planejamento Estratégico.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Universidade Federal da Bahia, with a specialization in Distance Education from Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Comercial/AL, and a Master’s and PhD in Computer Science from the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. He is a faculty member at the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), working in Educational Technology, Machine Learning, Learning Analytics, Chatbots, and Information Technology applied to public management. He is a permanent faculty member of PPGDiDeS/UNIVASF and a member of the Evante laboratory.
Undergraduate student in Computer Engineering at the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF). Participated in a technological extension project focused on the development of chatbots for companies in the São Francisco Valley. Has experience as a backend developer at the startup Autocenter App. Currently, he is a partner and development coordinator at the startup Innovchat, working on the implementation of new technologies.
Undergraduate student in Business Administration at the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF) and a technical graduate in Building Construction from the Instituto Federal do Sertão Pernambucano. Has experience in management, finance, marketing, and organizational development, working in junior enterprises, the construction sector, and entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives. Currently, he is the founder of the startup Conduzzir.
Graduando em Administração pela Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), com ênfase nas áreas de Economia e Finanças. Foi monitor das disciplinas de Economia e Matemática Financeira, com trabalho premiado com menção honrosa na 17ª edição da SCIENTEX e publicação de artigo sobre o tema no VIII SIADVASF. Atualmente, atua como Assistente de Negócios na Sicredi Vale do São Francisco, em Petrolina.
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