Impact of Agrotechnology Innovation, Human Resource Quality, And Capital Investment In Improving Profitability With Plantation Productivity As A Mediator at PT. TSB Plantation Company

Authors

  • zainul wasik Universitas Airlangga

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37638/bima.6.2.951-964

Keywords:

AGROTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION, HUMAN RESOURCE QUALITY, CAPITAL INVESTMENT, , IMPROVING PROFITABILITY WITH PLANTATION PRODUCTIVITY

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the influence of agro-technology innovation, human resource (HR) quality, and capital investment on profitability, with plantation productivity as a mediating variable at PT. TSB, a plantation company facing intense industry competition. Methodology: A quantitative approach with path analysis was employed. Data were collected through questionnaires, observations, and company documentation, then analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via SmartPLS software. The sample included employees and relevant management personnel at PT. TSB. Results: Agro-technology innovation, HR quality, and capital investment had a positive and significant effect on plantation productivity. Furthermore, plantation productivity positively influenced profitability. Productivity also acted as a partial mediator in the relationship between agro-technology innovation, HR quality, capital investment, and profitability. Findings: Enhancing agro-technology innovation, HR quality, and capital investment can boost plantation productivity, ultimately increasing PT. TSB’s profitability. The study highlights the importance of optimizing technology, HR training, and capital allocation for operational efficiency and competitive advantage. Novelty: This study fills a research gap by comprehensively testing a mediation model of plantation productivity, which has not been widely explored in the context of Indonesian plantation companies.. Conclusion: To improve profitability, PT. TSB should prioritize agro-technology adoption, HR development, and strategic capital investments, leveraging productivity as a key mediating factor. Type of Paper: Empirical research.

Author Biography

zainul wasik, Universitas Airlangga

PROGRAM DOKTOR ILMU MANAJEMEN
FAKULTAS EKONOMI DAN BISNIS

References

Abdullah, A., Rahman, S., & Ismail, M. (2019). Innovation culture and technology adoption in Malaysian plantations. Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, 9(3), 345-362. https://doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-05-2018-0067

Adnan, N., Ali, S., & Rahman, M. (2021). Technological innovation and agricultural productivity: Evidence from Southeast Asia. Journal of Agribusiness, 39(2), 145-160

Bank Indonesia. (2023). *Laporan harga komoditas perkebunan 2022-2023*. https://www.bi.go.id

BPS (Badan Pusat Statistik). (2021). Survei tenaga kerja sektor perkebunan 2021. https://www.bps.go.id

Darmawan, L. (2022). The role of managerial competence in plantation operational efficiency: Evidence from Indonesia. Agribusiness Perspectives, *7*(2), 89–104.

Fahmi, M., Rahman, T., & Siregar, H. (2022). The impact of IoT and drone technology on plantation resource efficiency. Agricultural Technology Review, *15*(2), 45–60.

FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization). (2021). The role of IoT and drones in modern agriculture. FAO Agricultural Development Paper No. 24. http://www.fao.org/publications

FAO. (2023). Digital transformation in agriculture: Case studies and best practices. FAO. http://www.fao.org/digital-agriculture

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (3rd ed.). Sage.

Hartono, D., & Wijaya, E. (2023). Risk management strategies for agribusiness investors in volatile markets. International Journal of Agricultural Economics, *18*(2), 134–150

Haryanto, R., & Siregar, K. (2022). Blockchain for sustainable supply chain traceability in the palm oil industry. Sustainability, *14*(5), 1–18.

ILO (International Labour Organization). (2020). Skills development in the plantation sector: A comparative study of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. ILO Report. https://www.ilo.org

Kementerian Pertanian. (2023). Laporan kinerja sektor perkebunan 2023. https://www.pertanian.go.id

Kumar, R., Singh, P., & Gupta, A. (2022). Agrotechnology adoption challenges in developing economies: A systematic review. International Journal of Agricultural Management, 11(3), 210-225.

Kurniawan, D., & Hidayat, S. (2023). Youth engagement in agriculture: Challenges and policy recommendations. Rural Development Journal, *12*(4), 205–220.

Kusuma, H., & Dewi, Y. (2022). Certification challenges and market access for sustainable palm oil. Corporate Sustainability Review, *5*(1), 45–60

Li, X., Chen, Y., & Wang, H. (2020). Human capital and agribusiness profitability: The mediating role of productivity. Agricultural Economics Review, 28(1), 45-60.

Mariyono, J. (2019). Adoption of agricultural technology and its impact on plantation productivity in Indonesia. Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, 16(2), 89-104.

Misra, N. N., Dixit, Y., Al-Mallahi, A., Bhullar, M. S., Upadhyay, R., & Martynenko, A. (2020). IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence in agriculture and food industry. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 9(9), 6305-6324. https://doi.org/10.1109/JIOT.2020.2998584

Nugroho, A., Susilo, B., & Pratiwi, D. (2021). Precision farming adoption in Indonesian palm oil plantations: A case study. Journal of Agribusiness Innovation, *8*(3), 112–130

Nurhayati, S., et al. (2022). Climate-resilient agriculture: Adapting oil palm to drought conditions. Sustainability Science, *17*(6), 2501–2518.

OECD. (2022). Investing in human capital for agri-tech innovation. OECD Agriculture Policy Papers No. 145. https://www.oecd.org/agriculture

Osei, M., Danso, A., & Mensah, J. K. (2021). Training and long-term profitability in agribusiness: A mediation analysis. African Journal of Business and Economics, 15(4), 78-94.

Purnomo, S., Ginting, P., & Sitorus, A. (2021). High-yield crop varieties and sustainable farming practices in oil palm plantations. Plantation Science Journal, *13*(4), 221–236

Santos, R., Lima, J., & Ferreira, P. (2021). Synergy of technology and human capital in agribusiness. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 45(2), 112-130. https://doi.org/10.1111/jage.12345

Saputra, J., Wijaya, M., & Tanjung, R. (2022). Infrastructure development and its impact on plantation logistics costs. Asian Journal of Agribusiness, *6*(3), 178–195.

Sari, D., & Indrawan, B. (2023). Biodiesel and oleochemical diversification: Strategies for palm oil value addition. Energy Policy, *175*, 1–14.

Siregar, A., & Putra, E. (2021). Skill development and labor productivity in Southeast Asian plantations. International Journal of Agricultural Management, *10*(1), 33–50.

Suryanto, T., Hidayat, Y., & Prasetyo, A. (2023). The impact of capital investment on agricultural productivity and profitability: Evidence from Indonesian agribusiness firms. Asian Journal of Agricultural Development, 20(1), 33-48.

Tarigan, R. (2023). Soil fertility management and long-term plantation productivity: A case study of Sumatra. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, *324*, 1–12.

USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). (2023). Southeast Asia plantation industry report 2023. https://www.usda.gov

Wiebelt, M., Breisinger, C., & Pauw, K. (2021). Climate change and agricultural productivity in Indonesia: A computable general equilibrium analysis. Environmental and Resource Economics, 78(3), 501-528. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-021-00545-1

Wijayanto, A., & Rahman, F. (2021). Vertical integration and profitability in the palm oil industry. Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, *11*(2), 167–185.

World Bank. (2022). Agricultural technology adoption in developing countries. World Bank Report. https://www.worldbank.org/agriculture

World Bank. (2023). Digital skills training for agribusiness workers. World Bank Group. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture

Yulianto, B., & Fitriani, N. (2021). Capital investment and technological adoption in Malaysian and Indonesian palm oil sectors. Journal of Plantation Economics, *9*(1), 55–72.

Zhang, Y., & Wang, L. (2019). Productivity as a bridge between agricultural inputs and profitability: Empirical evidence from China. Chinese Journal of Agricultural Research, 25(2), 112-128.

Downloads

Published

2025-12-30

Issue

Section

Reasearch Paper