Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Card Sorting Techniques has become one of the more actively explored innovations in the design of modern agricultural supply chain management, promising gains in efficiency and reliability that legacy, largely manual approaches have struggled to deliver.

Despite this potential, many existing agricultural supply chain management were not originally designed with card sorting techniques in mind, resulting in persistent gaps in perceived usability that limit their overall effectiveness. This study examines how Card Sorting Techniques can be applied to help close that gap.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Current agricultural supply chain management in many organizations struggle with inadequate perceived usability, often relying on manual processes or outdated architectures that were not designed for today's operating environment. Without a structured approach to integrating card sorting techniques, these limitations are likely to persist, exposing organizations to inefficiency, risk, and a poor user experience. This study is motivated by the need to design and evaluate a card sorting techniques-based approach to addressing this problem.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To design and implement a card sorting techniques-based approach to improving perceived usability in agricultural supply chain management.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Card Sorting Techniques in enhancing perceived usability within agricultural supply chain management.
3. To identify the key requirements and constraints relevant to deploying card sorting techniques in this context.
4. To assess user and stakeholder perception of the resulting system.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How can card sorting techniques be applied to improve perceived usability in agricultural supply chain management?
2. How effective is Card Sorting Techniques at enhancing perceived usability within agricultural supply chain management?
3. What requirements and constraints are relevant to deploying card sorting techniques in this context?
4. How do users and stakeholders perceive the resulting system?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Beyond its immediate technical contribution, this study offers value to organizations evaluating whether to invest in card sorting techniques for their own agricultural supply chain management, and contributes to the broader literature on applied UI/UX design by documenting a concrete implementation and evaluation case.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to the design, implementation, and evaluation of a card sorting techniques-based approach to improving perceived usability within agricultural supply chain management. Reflecting its BSc-level scope, it does not extend to a full commercial rollout or long-term post-implementation review beyond the study period.