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Digital education and island producers' readiness to adopt digital platforms: Evidence from Kythera and Antikythera

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background Small island producers face barriers to digital market participation, including limited skills, fragmented support and difficulties presenting products and agritourism experiences online. This study evaluated readiness to adopt DASK, a bilingual platform integrating e-commerce, agritourism, training resources and a Greek-language AI assistant for Kythera and Antikythera. Methods An exploratory survey evaluation with an unmatched pre-post design and qualitative content analysis was conducted across two DASK activities in February and June 2026. Adult producers and rural stakeholders completed anonymous baseline questionnaires before participation (n = 20) and post-activity questionnaires after an online platform-introduction and co-creation activity or an in-person hands-on workshop (n = 21). Quantitative responses were analysed descriptively and open-ended responses using qualitative content analysis. Results Most post-activity respondents rated the activities as understandable (95.2%) and locally relevant (90.5%), while 76.2% felt able to apply what they had learned. The platform was considered easy to navigate by 85.7%. High likelihood of independently uploading a product was reported by 52.4% in the post-activity sample versus 25.0% at baseline; corresponding proportions for uploading an agritourism experience were 42.9% and 20.0%. The AI assistant was considered helpful by 76.2%, but only 23.8% would trust its responses without human verification. Among 13 participants asked about economic potential, 84.6% perceived substantial opportunities for new income. One-to-one assistance was the most frequently requested continued support. Conclusions Findings were compatible with stronger short-term adoption readiness after the activities, but the unmatched design prevents attribution of observed differences to them. Sustained adoption is likely to require personalised support, locally relevant content and human oversight of AI-generated advice. Longitudinal research should assess whether immediate intentions translate into sustained platform use, market participation and income generation.

Source: Open Research Europe

DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.24710.1

Authors: Ilias Karachalios, Nikolaos Tantaroudas, Andrew J. McCracken

Institutions: University of Thessaly, Institute of Communication and Computer Systems

Language: English

Topic: Digitalization and Economic Development in Agriculture

Subfield: Strategy and Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $841