Drivers of Blockchain Adoption Intention in the Fisheries Sector

The adoption of blockchain in fisheries remains a critical challenge despite its potential to enhance traceability, transparency, and sustainability. This study applies the Technology Acceptance Model extended by social influence to evaluate the intention of fishermen to adopt blockchain within the project Mare Nostum. A sample of 202 Tunisian and Italian fishermen was surveyed, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS4 was performed to test the research model. Findings indicate that perceived usefulness has a direct positive impact on the attitude toward adopting blockchain while the perceived ease of use has only an indirect effect on the attitude mediated by the perceived usefulness. The attitude has a positive impact on the behavioral intention. Social influence positively influences the perceived usefulness and the behavioral intention. The fisherman’s age does not effect the relationship between social influence and behavioral intention. Education qualification does not significantly effect the relationship between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Research has provided some guidance for Mare Nostrum managers in the pre-implementation step on methods to increase adoption by fishermen.