Showing papers on "Diffusion of innovations published in 1987"

Toward a “Critical Mass” Theory of Interactive Media Universal Access, Interdependence and Diffusion

Abstract: This article proposes a “critical mass” explanation for the diffusion of interactive media, such as telephone, paper mail systems, electronic mail, voice messaging, or computer conferencing, within communities. Interactive media have two characteristics not shared by many other innovations. First, widespread usage creates universal access, a public good that individuals cannot be prevented from enjoying even if they have not contributed to it. Second, use of interactive media entails reciprocal interdependence, in which earlier users are influenced by later users as well as vice versa. Consequently, interactive media are extremely vulnerable to start-up problems and discontinuance. Traditional explanations of diffusion of innovations do not accommodate these two properties of interactive media. The influence of these two properties on the probability and extent of interactive media diffusion within communities is the focus of the critical mass theory developed in this article.

Network approaches to social evaluation

Abstract: Social evaluation—the way that people learn about themselves by comparing themselves with others—is a prosaic, age-old process. Periodic efforts have been made to integrate theories and empirical studies of reference groups, social comparison, equity and justice, and relative deprivation (e.g. Pettigrew 1967). Despite these efforts, research has remained fragmented and continues to be dominated by psychologists. Network imagery, models, and findings run through this literature as far back as the last century and play a central role in contemporary applications of social evaluation to research on social support, class consciousness, and the diffusion of innovations. I argue that the network approach will help to resolve fundamental, unanswered questions about social evaluation first raised in 1950 by Merton and Rossi—specifically, the origins of comparative frameworks and the relation between individual and categorical or group reference points. Such an approach provides an integrative focus for sociologic...

Domestic technology generation in LDCs : a review of research findings

Abstract: Technological change in LDCs has both an external as well as an internal origin, i.e. is based on technical knowledge and information coming from foreign and from local sources.

End User Computing And Ofice Automation: A Diffusion Of Innovations Perspective

Abstract: This article proposes that a Diffusion of Innovations framework, popular in many disciplines, can be used as a theoretical basis for examining the underlying forces driving both End User Computing and OfBce Automation. It reviews how these two phenomena are currently being treated in the literature, and how, although they appear to be quite similar both in definition and application, they have quite different viewpoints of the users' acceptance of information technology. The article suggests that the difference in these viewpoints is more one of perception than substance. The diffusion of innovations framework is then reviewed and some modifications to one of the more popular models are suggested. Finally, the model is applied by examining the acceptance of personal work stations within organisations.

Taking care: The diffusion of innovations perspective

Abstract: This chapter reviews the main lesson learned to date about the diffusion of preventive innovations. It discusses the application of these lessons to such issues as preventive health behavior (especially heart disease prevention), family planning, and energy conservation. I shall argue here that preventive behaviors are particularly difficult to bring about, whether they entail going on a low-salt diet, installing a burglar alarm system in one's home, or purchasing flood insurance. Prevention campaigns that have adopted strategies drawn from diffusion theory have tended to be more effective than other preventive efforts. Preventive innovations Diffusion is the process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over a period of time among the members of a social system (Rogers, 1983: 5). Thus, diffusion is a type of communication – the communication of messages about new ideas. Communication is a process in which participants create and share information with one another in order to reach a mutual understanding (Rogers & Kinkaid, 1981). Although early definitions of communication implied a one-way process, we now think of communication as a two-way process of convergence. Such convergence (or divergence) occurs as two or more individuals move toward one another (or farther apart) in the meanings they ascribe to events. One important type of message deals with innovations. An innovation is an idea, practice, or object that is perceived to be new by an individual or other unit of adoption (Rogers, 1983: 35). Many innovations offer an immediate increase in some desired quantity.

How Organizations Adopt and Implement New Technologies.

Abstract: This study predicts outcomes of 300 organizational decision processes focusing on the evaluation, adoption and implementation of technological innovations. Findings imply that outcomes are mostly a...

Diffusion of Software Engineering Methods

Abstract: The success of software engineering as a discipline depends not only on our ability to come up with creative and innovation methods for addressing the problems of software development, but, also on our ability to effectively diffuse these innovations into practice. In order to succeed well in the latter role, we need to have a good understanding of the process of diffusing innovations in general, and how they apply in the context of diffusion of software engineering methods. This paper attempts to provide that understanding using Rogers’ framework for diffusion of innovations.