Decisive Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture: Integrating Green and Smart Technologies Through Strategic Management Accounting in the Context of Malaysia

Abstract

This study explores the interdependencies of Strategic Management Accounting practices in the adoption of green and smart technologies and their impact on sustainable performance in Malaysia’s agricultural sector. A qualitative approach was employed using semi-structured interviews with 18 stakeholders and the data were analysed using Atlas.ti. The analysis generated 61 initial codes, which were refined into 16 categories and synthesised into three themes aligned with the research objectives. The findings reveal that costing, budgeting, investment evaluation and performance evaluation play a critical role in guiding technology adoption by supporting financial feasibility assessment, risk management and performance monitoring. The participants agreed that the adoption of green and smart technologies provides a positive impact on sustainability performance across environmental, economic and social dimensions. Six strategic pathways for sustainable agriculture were identified: farming practices, collaboration, education, policy support, technological innovation, and marketability. This study contributes theoretically by positioning Strategic Management Accounting as a strategic enabler of sustainability-oriented technology adoption. It offers practical insights for policymakers and agricultural stakeholders in advancing sustainable agricultural transformation.