How understanding stakeholder behavior transforms bioenergy from technical possibility to community reality
Imagine a future where agricultural waste powers our cities, where farmers become energy producers, and where communities actively shape their renewable energy landscape. This isn't a distant fantasy—it's the promise of bioenergy, a renewable resource derived from organic materials like crops, wood waste, and agricultural residues. As Indonesia strives to increase its renewable energy share to 23% by 2025, a crucial insight has emerged: the success of this transition doesn't hinge solely on technology or policy, but on understanding and empowering the people behind the biomass. Recent research reveals that engaging those who produce and handle biomass—farmers, wood artisans, and local communities—is just as critical as perfecting the conversion technology itself 3 .
23% renewable energy share with bioenergy playing a crucial role in the energy mix.
Around 20 coal-fired power plants must implement biomass co-firing technology by 2025 3 .
At the heart of understanding stakeholder engagement in bioenergy lies an integrated approach combining two powerful behavioral theories: the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). This integrated framework helps researchers systematically identify what drives people to participate in biomass projects 3 .
Examines how perceptions of usefulness and ease of use influence technology adoption.
Investigates how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control shape intentions.
| Criterion Category | Specific Factors | Influence on Participation |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Considerations | Profitability, Market prices, Time resources | Most significant driver; higher prices increase willingness to supply biomass 3 |
| Psychological Factors | Perceived behavioral control, Attitudes, Subjective norms | Determines confidence in ability to participate despite barriers 3 |
| Environmental Awareness | Environmental concern, Sustainability values | Increases likelihood of participation when present 3 |
| Knowledge & Experience | Education level, Prior experience, Information access | Builds familiarity and reduces perceived risks 3 |
| Social Influences | Social norms, Community values, Self-transcendence | Encourages participation when aligned with community welfare 3 |
To translate theoretical frameworks into practical insights, researchers conducted a comprehensive study targeting direct stakeholders in Indonesia's bioenergy supply chain. The experiment employed purposive sampling to focus on corn farmers and wood artisans in Banyuwangi, a region with significant biomass potential 3 .
The research design centered around a structured survey instrument developed based on the integrated TAM-TPB model. This approach allowed researchers to quantitatively measure the influence of various psychological, social, and economic factors on participation intentions.
Data collection resulted in 75 completed questionnaires, representing a 75% response rate—remarkably high for survey research, suggesting strong stakeholder engagement with the topic. The researchers then employed Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4.0 software to analyze the complex relationships between variables and test the proposed hypotheses about what drives participation 3 .
75 completed surveys
75% - exceptionally high
Banyuwangi, Indonesia
Corn farmers & wood artisans
| Research Component | Specific Approach | Implementation in the Study |
|---|---|---|
| Sampling Method | Purposive sampling | Targeted corn farmers and wood artisans in Banyuwangi 3 |
| Data Collection | Structured questionnaires | 75 completed surveys (75% response rate) 3 |
| Theoretical Framework | Integrated TAM-TPB model | Measured perceived usefulness, ease of use, attitudes, subjective norms, behavioral control 3 |
| Analysis Technique | PLS-SEM (Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling) | SmartPLS 4.0 software to test 18 proposed hypotheses 3 |
| Additional Variables | Extended framework | Education, environmental concern, experience, information, self-transcendence values 3 |
The experimental results revealed a complex landscape of stakeholder motivations, with some unexpected findings that challenge conventional wisdom about bioenergy engagement.
The analysis tested 18 proposed hypotheses about relationships between factors and participation intentions:
13 hypotheses supported
1 hypothesis significant but opposite direction
4 hypotheses not supported
Economic factors remain important—higher biomass prices generally increase farmer willingness to supply, and larger farm operations show greater participation potential—but they operate within a context shaped by multiple other influences 3 .
Environmental awareness, when present, significantly motivates participation, while education and information access help overcome barriers by building familiarity and reducing perceived risks.
| Factor Category | Specific Finding | Practical Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Control | Most influential factor for participation intention | Empowerment and resource support may be more effective than financial incentives alone 3 |
| Economic Factors | Significant but not sole determinant | Higher prices increase willingness, but other factors can compensate for moderate pricing 3 |
| Environmental Concern | Positive influence on participation | Sustainability messaging resonates with environmentally conscious stakeholders 3 |
| Social Factors | Complex influence pattern | Community values and examples can encourage participation when properly leveraged 3 |
| Experience & Information | Reduces perceived barriers | Hands-on demonstrations and peer learning address knowledge-related hesitations 3 |
Just as biotechnology research requires specific reagents and tools, studying stakeholder participation demands its own specialized research toolkit. The Indonesian bioenergy study demonstrates several essential "research reagents" that enable scientists to systematically analyze human factors in energy transitions.
A carefully designed questionnaire that operationalizes theoretical constructs into measurable questions.
Using SmartPLS software to transform raw survey data into actionable insights about complex relationships.
Ensuring researchers engage with the right stakeholders who represent the potential biomass supply chain.
Together, these research tools create a comprehensive laboratory for analyzing the human dimension of energy transitions, providing insights that traditional technical or economic analyses would miss 3 .
The research findings point toward a fundamental shift in how we approach bioenergy development—from a technology-first perspective to a human-centric model that recognizes stakeholders as active participants rather than passive suppliers.
Future research should expand beyond corn farmers and wood artisans to include other potential biomass suppliers, explore regional variations in participation drivers, and track how intentions translate into actual participation over time. The experimental approach detailed here provides a replicable methodology for these continued investigations.
As we stand at the intersection of energy transition and community engagement, the lesson from cutting-edge research is unmistakable: the most sophisticated bioenergy technology will remain underutilized without equally sophisticated attention to the human systems that support it.
| Barrier Category | Recommended Strategy | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Behavioral Control | Provide training, resources, and initial support | Increased confidence in participation ability 3 |
| Economic Concerns | Ensure fair pricing and market stability | Higher willingness to supply biomass 3 |
| Knowledge Gaps | Offer demonstrations and peer learning opportunities | Reduced perceived risks and barriers 3 |
| Environmental Motivation | Highlight sustainability benefits | Engagement of environmentally conscious stakeholders 3 |
| Social Barriers | Leverage community networks and champions | Broader participation through social influence 3 |
By listening to and empowering the people who form the foundation of the bioenergy supply chain, we can build sustainable energy systems that are not only technologically advanced but also socially rooted and economically inclusive.