IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v15y2025i18p1910-d1745471.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Unmanned Agricultural Robotics Techniques for Enhancing Entrepreneurial Competitiveness in Emerging Markets: A Central Romanian Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Ioana Madalina Petre

    (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500036 Brasov, Romania)

  • Mircea Boșcoianu

    (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500036 Brasov, Romania)

  • Pompilica Iagăru

    (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Food Industry and Environmental Protection, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 7-9 dr. Ion Ratiu Street, 550012 Sibiu, Romania)

  • Romulus Iagăru

    (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Food Industry and Environmental Protection, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 7-9 dr. Ion Ratiu Street, 550012 Sibiu, Romania)

Abstract

Recently, the market for miniaturized Unmanned Agricultural Robots has experienced rapid development worldwide, driven by advances in robotics, artificial intelligence and precision agriculture. These technologies are no longer confined to highly industrialized countries but are increasingly penetrating emerging economies, including Romania, where they hold significant potential for transforming farming practices and entrepreneurial competitiveness. The purpose of the present paper is to present strategies for enhancing the competitive advantage of agricultural entrepreneurs in Romania’s Central Region. This is achieved by leveraging competitive advantage through value creation, specifically by deepening strategies for the rapid integration of new miniaturized robotic products. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques to investigate the ability of key stakeholders—agricultural entrepreneurs, precision agriculture product/service providers, institutional representatives, and investors—to dynamically adapt to evolving market conditions. The study’s findings reveal a strong interest and readiness among precision agriculture stakeholders to adopt advanced technologies, supported by robust operational knowledge management practices including external knowledge acquisition, strategic partnerships and data protection. Although agricultural entrepreneurs exhibit considerable adaptive and absorptive capacities—evidenced by their openness to innovation and collaboration—persistent barriers such as high equipment costs and limited financing access continue to impede the broad adoption of miniaturized robotic solutions. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for supportive policies and collaborative financing models and it suggests future research on adoption dynamics, cross-country comparisons and the role of education in accelerating agricultural robotics.

Suggested Citation

  • Ioana Madalina Petre & Mircea Boșcoianu & Pompilica Iagăru & Romulus Iagăru, 2025. "Unmanned Agricultural Robotics Techniques for Enhancing Entrepreneurial Competitiveness in Emerging Markets: A Central Romanian Case Study," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:18:p:1910-:d:1745471
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/18/1910/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/18/1910/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Romulus Iagăru & Anca Șipoș & Pompilica Iagăru, 2023. "Strategic Thinking and Its Role in Accelerating the Transition from the Linear to the Circular Economic Model—Case Study of the Agri-Food Sector in the Sibiu Depression Microregion, Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Mary Sanyaolu & Arkadiusz Sadowski, 2024. "The Role of Precision Agriculture Technologies in Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Pompilica Iagăru & Pompiliu Pavel & Romulus Iagăru & Anca Șipoș, 2022. "Aerial Monitorization—A Vector for Ensuring the Agroecosystems Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-12, May.
    4. Gaganpreet Singh Hundal & Chad Matthew Laux & Dennis Buckmaster & Mathias J Sutton & Michael Langemeier, 2023. "Exploring Barriers to the Adoption of Internet of Things-Based Precision Agriculture Practices," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, January.
    5. David J. Teece, 2007. "Explicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(13), pages 1319-1350, December.
    6. Barnes, A.P. & Soto, I. & Eory, V. & Beck, B. & Balafoutis, A. & Sánchez, B. & Vangeyte, J. & Fountas, S. & van der Wal, T. & Gómez-Barbero, M., 2019. "Exploring the adoption of precision agricultural technologies: A cross regional study of EU farmers," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 163-174.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Soum, Abderrahmane & Ayache, Abbassia, . "Adopting precision agriculture in Algeria: insights and challenges from the perspective of Algerian agricultural engineers," Western Balkan Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development (WBJAERD), Institute of Agricultural Economics, vol. 7(1).
    2. Marina Dabić & Jane Maley & Leo-Paul Dana & Ivan Novak & Massimiliano M. Pellegrini & Andrea Caputo, 2020. "Pathways of SME internationalization: a bibliometric and systematic review," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 55(3), pages 705-725, October.
    3. Swen Nadkarni & Reinhard Prügl, 2021. "Digital transformation: a review, synthesis and opportunities for future research," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(2), pages 233-341, April.
    4. Jiatong Yu & Jiajue Wang & Taesoo Moon, 2022. "Influence of Digital Transformation Capability on Operational Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-20, June.
    5. Lirios Alos-Simo & Antonio J. Verdu-Jover & Jose M. Gomez-Gras, 2020. "Knowledge Transfer in Sustainable Contexts: A Comparative Analysis of Periods of Financial Recession and Expansion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-24, June.
    6. Emre Yildiz, H. & Murtic, Adis & Klofsten, Magnus & Zander, Udo & Richtnér, Anders, 2021. "Individual and contextual determinants of innovation performance: A micro-foundations perspective," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    7. Christiana Müller & Stefan Vorbach, 2015. "Enabling Business Model Change: Evidence from High-Technology Firms," Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation, Fundacja Upowszechniająca Wiedzę i Naukę "Cognitione", vol. 11(1), pages 53-75.
    8. Muhammad Farooq Islam & Ozge Can, 2024. "Integrating digital and sustainable entrepreneurship through business models: a bibliometric analysis," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, December.
    9. Francisco Javier Forcadell & Fernando Úbeda, 2022. "Individual entrepreneurial orientation and performance: the mediating role of international entrepreneurship," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 875-900, June.
    10. Giovanni Gavetti & Constance E. Helfat & Luigi Marengo, 2017. "Searching, Shaping, and the Quest for Superior Performance," Strategy Science, INFORMS, vol. 2(3), pages 194-209, September.
    11. Scherrer, Aline & Rogge, Karoline S., 2025. "When do incumbents adopt radical net-zero technologies? Analysing differences in strategy trajectories of European truck manufacturers towards alternative vehicle technologies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    12. Bentivoglio, Deborah & Bucci, Giorgia & Belletti, Matteo & Finco, Adele, 2022. "A theoretical framework on network’s dynamics for precision agriculture technologies adoption," Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural (RESR), Sociedade Brasileira de Economia e Sociologia Rural, vol. 60(4), January.
    13. Luis Araya-Castillo & Felipe Hernández-Perlines & Hugo Moraga & Antonio Ariza-Montes, 2021. "Scientometric Analysis of Research on Socioemotional Wealth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-26, March.
    14. FeCheng Ma & Farhan Khan & Kashif Ullah Khan & Si XiangYun, 2021. "Investigating the Impact of Information Technology, Absorptive Capacity, and Dynamic Capabilities on Firm Performance: An Empirical Study," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(4), pages 21582440211, November.
    15. Fang Li & Sheng Zhang & Yuhuan Jin, 2018. "Sustainability of University Technology Transfer: Mediating Effect of Inventor’s Technology Service," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, June.
    16. Francisco Gustavo Bautista Carrillo & Daniel Arias-Aranda, 2025. "Technological Adoption Sequences and Sustainable Innovation Performance: A Longitudinal Analysis of Optimal Pathways," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-24, June.
    17. Kim, Jongwook & Mahoney, Joseph T., 2008. "A Strategic Theory of the Firm as a Nexus of Incomplete Contracts: A Property Rights Approach," Working Papers 08-0108, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Business.
    18. André de Abreu Saraiva Monteiro Alves & Fernando Manuel Pereira de Oliveira Carvalho, 2022. "How Dynamic Managerial Capabilities, Entrepreneurial Orientation, and Operational Capabilities Impact Microenterprises’ Global Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-23, December.
    19. Elizabeth J. Altman & Frank Nagle & Michael L. Tushman, 2013. "Innovating Without Information Constraints: Organizations, Communities, and Innovation When Information Costs Approach Zero," Harvard Business School Working Papers 14-043, Harvard Business School, revised Sep 2014.
    20. Zhonghua Zhao & Fanchen Meng & Yin He & Zhouyang Gu, 2019. "The Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility on Competitive Advantage with Multiple Mediations from Social Capital and Dynamic Capabilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, January.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:18:p:1910-:d:1745471. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.