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Showing papers on "Diffusion of innovations published in 1996"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A social network threshold model of the diffusion of innovations based on the Ryan and Gross (1943) adopter categories is created, which uses social networks as a basis for adopter categorization, instead of solely relying on the system-level analysis used previously.

990 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors organize and integrate the innovation speed literature, develop a conceptual framework of innovation speed, and offer researchable propositions relating to the need for and antecedents and outcomes.
Abstract: There is a growing recognition that innovation speed is important to a firm's creating and sustaining competitive advantage amidst rapidly changing business environments. However, there has been little theoretical advancement or model building regarding when innovation speed is appropriate, what factors speed up innovations, and how differences in speed affect project outcomes. In this article, we organize and integrate the innovation speed literature, develop a conceptual framework of innovation speed, and offer researchable propositions relating to the need for and antecedents and outcomes of innovation speed. Specifically, we argue that innovation speed (a) is most appropriate in environments characterized by competitive intensity, technological and market dynamism, and low regulatory restrictiveness; (b) can be positively or negatively affected by strategic-orientation factors and organizational-capability factors; and (c) has an influence on development costs, product quality, and ultimately project ...

870 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors of the Special Research Forum on Innovation and Organizations as discussed by the authors propose a multilevel view of context as including elements ranging from the dominant strategy of an organization to the social-psychological antecedents of creativity.
Abstract: Two distinct themes emerge from the Special Research Forum on Innovation and Organizations. One group of articles develops an expanded view of the influence of context on organizations' ability to innovate. Together, the articles offer a complex multilevel view of context as including elements ranging from the dominant strategy of an organization to the social-psychological antecedents of creativity. A second group of articles provides a community and population perspective on the diffusion of innovations. We suggest the possibility of a union between the context and industry dynamics approaches. As we contemplated editing this Special Research Forum on Innovation and Organizations, we observed that a plethora of books on innovation had been written in recent years. Our collections had grown dramatically during the 1990s as the topic took on increasing practical and theoretical significance. This vibrant literature covered topics and concepts ranging from paradigm shifts, through intrapreneurship, intelligent organizations, mastering change, and time-based competition. Most of these works were in good currency, enjoying unparalleled popularity among managers and enviable citation rates among scholars. Surely such a wealth of information signaled the arrival of a dominant theoretical model of innovation in organizations. Whereas each book and article made its own valuable contribution, we were disappointed to discover that no dominant theoretical perspective had emerged to integrate the multiple streams of innovation research. Unlike other evolving fields of organizational inquiry, such as organizational economics, contingency theory, organizational ecology, and institutional theory, innovation research demonstrates little in the way of common theoretical underpinnings to guide its development. Although these other approaches are not free from internal debate, each has at its core conceptual principles and advocates that drive its theoretical and empirical development.

376 citations


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: Both one’s own attitude and the expectations of others influenced the degree to which one used IT after adoption, and the most significant perceptions that had an effect on degree of use were ease of use, relative advantage and compatibility.
Abstract: This paper reports on a field study investigating the adoption of an information technology (IT) by end-users. First, based on theories and empirical findings from research into the Diffusion of Innovations and the Theory of Reasoned Action a model was developed of the factors influencing individual level decisions to use IT. The model was then field tested in a survey of 540 individuals in seven organizations. Results show that the model received good support and that it can be used for understanding the utilization of IT. Both one’s own attitude and the expectations of others influenced the degree to which one used IT after adoption. Consistent with results from diffusion research, the most significant perceptions that had an effect on degree of use were ease of use, relative advantage and compatibility.

367 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider how this socially undesirable waiting period and the pattern of development of subsequent innovations are affected by two patent protection regimes which are called "length" and "scope" protection.
Abstract: Innovators who have made significant breakthroughs may be tempted to get a head start in developing the applications of a new discovery before commercializing any new product. We consider how this socially undesirable waiting period and the pattern of development of subsequent innovations are affected by two patent protection regimes which we call "length" and "scope" protection. Our main finding is that the scope of the patent, and not its length, is the dimension that should be used to induce early disclosure of fundamental innovations while still preserving firms' incentive to do R&D. Furthermore, the optimal protection increases with rivalry in the markets for applications.

188 citations


BookDOI
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: In this article, a case study was conducted to consider the strategic IT adoption decision-making practices of Chinese firms, and the research outcomes have been compared with Western models of decisionmaking for IT adoption and implementation.
Abstract: Much IS research has focused on the experiences of Western organisations, particularly those in the UK and USA. Unfortunately, little emphasis has been given to the international applicability of the models and frameworks ensuing from this research. There appears to be little necessity for firms in other countries to 're-invent the wheel' when considering the adoption and implementation of IT if they can \earn from the experiences of Western firms. There is some uncertainty, however, as to how applicable Western strategic models would be in non-Western environments. Case study research has been conducted to consider the strategic IT adoption decisionmaking practices of Chinese firms. Chinese organisations were selected for investigation due to their importance in global markets and to their widespread influence in many countries and regions. The research outcomes have been compared with Western models of decisionmaking for IT adoption and implementation. The organisations investigated displayed strong alignment of both factors and processes in their strategic decision-making, Further, there are strong indications of alignment between the strategic IT decision-making practices of Chinese and Western firms. Marked differences to Western firms have also been identified: there appears to be less diversity of practices both within and between the firms than would be expected from Western research. Implications of both alignments and differences are discussed.

140 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a travel and tourism marketing strategy to keep abreast of rapid technological innovations, on the one hand, while transcending the classic diffusion of innovations model.
Abstract: Advances in computer technology and the Internet permit and encourage marketing efforts in which the consumer bypasses at least some intermediaries when purchasing travel/tourism services To fully benefit from these developments, travel and tourism marketers must keep abreast of rapid technological innovations, on the one hand, while transcending the classic diffusion of innovations model, on the other

124 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors consider how states change policy innovations as they diffuse, a process known as reinvention, which has been the subject of recent innova tion diffusion research (Mooney and Lee 1995; Gl...
Abstract: This study considers how states change policy innovations as they diffuse. This process, known as reinvention, has been the subject of recent innova tion diffusion research (Mooney and Lee 1995; Gl...

113 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: More effective programs were characterized by emphasis on homophily, audience segmentation, compatibility-based strategies, and interorganizational collaboration.
Abstract: We conducted a 2-year investigation of the extent to which strategies based on social marketing and diffusion of innovations concepts are used in preventive health communication with unique (highly ostracized) populations. Of the 49 organizations in San Francisco that operate HIV prevention programs (N = 100), programs that most highly targeted unique populations were surveyed. Personal interviews were then conducted with 38 staff leaders who operated the most and least effective programs. Audiotapes and transcripts were content analyzed to identify the strategies used by program staff. Strategies based on social marketing concepts were more prevalent than strategies based on the diffusion of innovations: More effective programs were characterized by emphasis on homophily, audience segmentation, compatibility-based strategies, and interorganizational collaboration.

77 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a study of the diffusion of the glass-ceramic hob unit and attempts to explain the differences which exist between different categories of adopters is presented, focusing on the behavior of the innovator as compared to that of the imitator.
Abstract: Seeks to determine the adopter categories for a new product using an innovation diffusion model which assumes that the potential adopters of an innovation are influenced by two means of communication, namely the mass media (external influence) and word of mouth (internal influence). The literature contains many examples of studies devoted to the analysis of the diffusion of innovations, where an attempt is made to explain the characteristics of the different adopters according to the moment in time at which they acquire the innovation, the type of product (consumer durables, habitual) and the number of categories. The majority of these studies try to explain the behavior of the innovator as compared to that of the imitator, and very few of them differentiate between two or more adopter categories. Concentrates on a study of the diffusion of the glass‐ceramic hob unit and attempts to explain the differences which exist between different categories of adopters.

Journal Article
TL;DR: Examples from the tobacco areas are used to illustrate ways in which the diffusion model can be applied in the field and applications of the model for prevention are presented and discussed.
Abstract: Diffusion theory can profitably be applied to a range of health problems and interventions. This paper uses the case of tobacco to illustrate this process. The diffusion of innovations model refers to the spread of new ideas, techniques and behaviours or products throughout populations. Those who adopt at different phases of the process tend to differ in predictable ways, such as age, sex, residence, socioeconomic status and level of access to communications, each of which can be employed to affect the overall rate of adoption. A series of perspectives are employed to examine aspects of the diffusion process for tobacco use. Examples from the tobacco areas are used to illustrate ways in which the diffusion model can be applied in the field. Applications of the model for prevention are presented and discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
30 Jan 1996
TL;DR: In this paper, a sociometric survey was employed to collect data on communication relations and information exposure from 243 females and 179 males in the hills of Nepal to explore communication networks and patterns among women and men farmers.
Abstract: One of the prime objectives of formal extension services is to provide information and to facilitate farmers' decision-making processes in the adoption and diffusion of innovations. Since women farmers play an important role in farming activities, it is essential that they have access to various information. But such is not the case even when extension strategies and methods are designed to reach a large number of women farmers. One of the reasons for the ineffectiveness of extension services is that they overlook the dynamism of inter-farmer communication processes in which women's role is significant in the flow of information and materials within a social system. A study was conducted to explore communication networks and patterns among women and men farmers in the hills of Nepal. Using a roster of names of respondents, a sociometric survey was employed to collect data on communication relations and information exposure from 243 females and 179 males. The study showed that males have horizonta...

Book
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: Information technology and organizational change: the role of context in moderating change enabled by technology.
Abstract: One Introductory Papers.- 1 Research directions on diffusion and adoption of information technology.- 2 The challenge of information technology transfer and diffusion.- Two Research Papers.- 3 Adoption and implementation of IT: an evaluation of the applicability of Western strategic models to Chinese firms.- 4 A prototype knowledge-based tool for software engineering adoption and implementation.- 5 The organisational politics of meetings and their technology - two case studies of video supported communication.- 6 Comparison and analysis of diffusion models.- 7 Information technology transfer and implementation: the introduction of an electronic mail system in a public service organization.- 8 On the diffusion of software technologies: technological frameworks and adoption profiles.- 9 Implementation planning for information systems: promoting the transition with a communication strategy.- 10 Integrating diffusion of innovations and theory of reasoned action models to predict utilization of information technology by end-users.- 11 Interorganizational networks and the diffusion process: the case of networks not working.- 12 Information technology adoption by small business: an empirical study.- 13 Learning at work.- 14 Information technology and organizational change: the role of context in moderating change enabled by technology.- Index of contributors.- Keyword index.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: For example, this article conducted interviews with 40 representatives of the ten largest advertising agencies in Norway and found that "as to the potential support from academic research, in order to improve advertising effectiveness, the opinions and attitudes were utterly vague or nonexistent" (p. 50).
Abstract: ings about how to persuade. Advertisers know much about persuasion, yet do not seem to use it widely. For example, Helgesen's (1994) interviews of 40 representatives of the ten largest advertising agencies in Norway led him to conclude that "as to the potential support from academic research, in order to improve advertising effectiveness, the opinions and attitudes were utterly vague or nonexistent" (p. 50). Agencies that use research findings can provide value to clients and perhaps to the client's customers.

Dissertation
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: McDowell et al. as discussed by the authors identified the factors influencing successful diffusion of innovations in education, and evaluated the technology strategy pursued by the Arlington, Massachusetts public school district with respect to those factors.
Abstract: The implementation of technology in education is cyclic increasing and decreasing with each attempted application of a new technology to classroom practice. A new technology for education is introduced, expectations are raised, research is conducted indicating educational effectiveness, little to no diffusion of the innovation takes place, and then expectations are left unmet. This thesis first identifies the factors influencing successful diffusion of innovations in education, and evaluates the technology strategy pursued by the Arlington, Massachusetts public school district with respect to those factors. The factors are developed from an examination of the historical cycle of educational technology, historical approaches to education reform, and diffusion of innovations theory. This thesis hypothesizes that a successful diffusion strategy for computer networks in education should address the situational constraints on teacher choice, the historical legacy of top-down education reform, and the attributes of the innovation that will influence adoption. Arlington’s unified approach creating a coalition of stakeholders to use and fund the network and combining network deployment with planned school building renovation is seen to address many of these factors. Thesis Supervisor: Ceasar McDowell Title: Assistant Professor, Harvard University Graduate School of Education Thesis Reader: Lee McKnight Title: Lecturer, MIT Technology and Policy Program

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: The Regional centers for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CRITTs) as discussed by the authors are a leading example of technology transfer services that have been set up in France over the last ten years; others include: services for funding innovation, help for patenting, promotion of innovation, training, and auditing.
Abstract: Technology transfer is now recognized as a decisive element in business firm strategy. A fuller recognition of the significant role played by the diffusion of innovations in the competitive process has brought about an increase in the scope and diversity of technology transfer in industry. Increasingly, the study of technology transfer (which used to refer only to problems of international north-south transfer) has come to focus on this phenomenon within the firm and in its industrial environment. Using the term in this sense, public authorities in France and other countries have come to recognize the strategic role played by technology transfer, and have established over the last few years a large number of services to promote technology transfer. The Regional centers for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CRITTs) are a leading example of technology transfer services that have been set up in France over the last ten years; others include: services for funding innovation, help for patenting, promotion of innovation (ANVAR — Agence Nationale pour la Valorization de la Recherche), training, and auditing. This often complex set of services — firms find it difficult to navigate through the maze — implies that new service relationships between client firms and the providers of services are constantly being established.

01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: Efforts to produce health-promoting behavioral changes have been aided by recent theoretical models of the stages of change, which suggest the importance of involvement of change agents such as the mass media local opinion leaders and respected caretakers who can serve as satisfied acceptors.
Abstract: Efforts to produce health-promoting behavioral changes have been aided by recent theoretical models of the stages of change. The Transtheoretical Model: Stages of Change developed from a study of individuals attempting to quit smoking outlines five such stages: precontemplation contemplation preparation action and maintenance. It is assumed that behaviors are linked to social interactions that may either support or deter change. This theory could be applied to the widespread practice of withholding food and fluid during a diarrhea episode. A survey could be conducted to determine how the target audience is segmented according to the five stages. Then appropriate interventions could be designed (e.g. mass media campaigns to overcome precontemplators belief that diarrhea is an essential process for ridding the body of impurities promotion of oral rehydration among contemplators and education on where to obtain rehydration supplies for preparers). The Theory of Diffusion of Innovations emerged from an analysis of the process through which US farmers adopted use of hybrid corn. The stages of change in this model are knowledge persuasion decision implementation and confirmation. It is assumed that innovations are communicated through certain channels and among members of a social system over time. This theory would be particularly applicable to child immunization campaigns and suggests the importance of involvement of change agents such as the mass media local opinion leaders and respected caretakers who can serve as satisfied acceptors. In the case of both theories it is important to identify the target audiences perceptions of the risks and benefits associated with the desired behavior change.

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1996
TL;DR: In industry after industry, power is shifting from sellers to buyers, because the latter have easy access to information and more choices in that there are more enterprises competing across borders for the favor of the consumer.
Abstract: Quality is acquiring a new meaning both in the manufacturing and service sectors. The push for quality has been driven by technological innovations. In turn, better communication systems have resulted in the rapid diffusion of innovations and the increasing homogenization of customer needs world-wide and have spawned a global lifestyle, especially in urban areas. These developments have raised consumer expectations for ever faster, better service, and higher levels of product quality at lower cost. Furthermore, in industry after industry, power is shifting from sellers to buyers, because the latter have easy access to information and more choices in that there are more enterprises competing across borders for the favor of the consumer.