Examining the factors influencing the digital transformation of new agricultural operating entities: insights from Zhejiang, China

The digital transformation of new agricultural operating entities (NAOEs) plays a pivotal role in advancing rural revitalization and strengthening agricultural development. Despite the significant efforts made by the Chinese government, the digitalization rate of agriculture is still relatively low. Based on a multi-case study encompassing 40 NAOEs and employing the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework alongside fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), this study explores the necessary conditions and pathways for the digital transformation of NAOEs. Additionally, we investigate the configuration factors that drive digital transformation at different levels. The study concludes that the digital transformation of NAOEs results from the interplay of multiple interacting factors rather than a single determinant. Notably, government support and manager’s digital capability emerge as two necessary conditions of successful digital transformation. High-level digital transformation can be categorized into three pathways: technology-driven, technology-organization-driven, and environment-driven. In contrast, low technological factors, low technology-organization factors, and high environmental factors lead to a low degree of digital transformation. Based on these findings and the current state of agricultural digitalization in China, this study offers policy recommendations across three key areas: enhancing technical support, refining the policy framework, and developing digital capabilities. This study unveils the complex and multifaceted relationships underlying digital transformation in NAOEs, providing both a theoretical foundation and practical insights for advancing agricultural modernization and refining the supporting policy framework.