How to promote the intention of grain enterprises to adopt smart granary technology—an fsQCA analysis based on the TOE framework

Introduction The adoption of smart granary systems is critical for safeguarding national grain security, yet the determinants of adoption intention in grain enterprises remain insufficiently understood. Methods Based on the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, this study develops a configurational model to investigate how six antecedents, which are organizational compatibility, technological fit, resource readiness, competitive pressure, operational risk, and privacy risk, interactively relate to adoption intentions. Using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) on cross sectional survey data from 46 middle and senior managers of grain enterprises in Fuzhou, China. Results (1) Adoption intention stems from combinatorial causality rather than isolated factors, with no single necessary condition identified; (2) Two dominant pathways drive high adoption intention: “technology fit support driven path” (four pathways) and “resource readiness support driven path” (five pathways); (3) Privacy risk emerges as a significant association factor in both pathways. Discussion The results uncover the key factors and driving pathways associated with the adoption of smart grain storage technology in grain enterprises, providing theoretical insights and practical references for promoting the widespread application of smart grain storage systems.