Showing papers on "Diffusion of innovations published in 2008"

Evolution of diffusion and dissemination theory.

Abstract: The article provides a review and considers how the diffusion of innovations Research paradigm has changed, and offers suggestions for the further development of this theory of social change. Main emphases of diffusion Research studies are compared over time, with special attention to applications of diffusion theory-based concepts as types of dissemination science. A considerable degree of paradigmatic evolution is observed. The classical diffusion model focused on adopter innovativeness, individuals as the locus of decision, communication channels, and adoption as the primary outcome measures in post hoc observational study designs. The diffusion systems in question were centralized, with fidelity of implementation often assumed. Current dissemination Research and practice is better characterized by tests of interventions that operationalize one or more diffusion theory-based concepts and concepts from other change approaches, involve complex organizations as the units of adoption, and focus on implementation issues. Foment characterizes dissemination and implementation Research, Reflecting both its interdisciplinary Roots and the imperative of spreading evidence-based innovations as a basis for a new paradigm of translational studies of dissemination science.

Diffusion of innovations

Abstract: This fourth edition of the classic book, Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice provides a comprehensive, highly accessible, and in-depth analysis of health behavior theories that are most relevant to health ...

Investigating the drivers of internet banking adoption decision: A comparison of three alternative frameworks

Abstract: Purpose – The paper seeks to compare, through empirical evidence, two widely adopted models (the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Diffusion of Innovations (DoI) model) to an underutilized one (Perceived Characteristics of the Innovation) in order to examine which is better in predicting consumer adoption of internet banking (IB), while investigating innovation attributes vis‐a‐vis other important predictors of adoption of innovations, such as consumer personal characteristicsDesign/methodology/approach – The data derive from both users and non‐users of IB through a web survey The paper assesses the psychometric properties of the measures through confirmatory factor analysis and then employs logistic regression analysis in order to assess and compare the ability of the models to accurately predict consumer adoption of IBFindings – The paper finds that PCI performed significantly better than TAM and DoI in predicting consumer adoption of IB, whereas the addition of consumer demographics and psyc

Physics faculty and educational researchers: Divergent expectations as barriers to the diffusion of innovations

Abstract: Physics Education Research (PER) practitioners have engaged in substantial curriculum development and dissemination work in recent years. Yet, it appears that this work has had minimal influence on the fundamental teaching practices of the typical physics faculty. To better understand this situation, interviews were conducted with five likely users of physics education research. All reported making changes in their instructional practices and all were influenced, to some extent, by educational research. Yet, none made full use of educational research and most had complaints about their interactions with educational researchers. In this paper we examine how these instructors used educational research in making instructional decisions and identify divergent expectations about how researchers and faculty can work together to improve student learning. Although different instructors emphasized different aspects of this discrepancy between expectations, we believe that they are all related to a single underlyin...

How Change Agents and Social Capital Influence the Adoption of Innovations among Small Farmers: Evidence from Social Networks in Rural Bolivia

Abstract: "This paper presents results from a study that identified patterns of social interaction among small farmers in three agricultural subsectors in Bolivia—fish culture, peanut production, and quinoa production—and analyzed how social interaction influences farmers' behavior toward the adoption of pro-poor innovations. Twelve microregions were identified, four in each subsector, setting the terrain for an analysis of parts of social networks that deal with the diffusion of specific sets of innovations. Three hundred sixty farmers involved in theses networks as well as 60 change agents and other actors promoting directly or indirectly the diffusion of innovations were interviewed about the interactions they maintain with other agents in the network and the sociodemographic characteristics that influence their adoption behavior. The information derived from this data collection was used to test a wide range of hypotheses on the impact that the embeddedness of farmers in social networks has on the intensity with which they adopt innovations. Evidence provided by the study suggests that persuasion, social influence, and competition are significant influences in the decisions of farmers in poor rural regions in Bolivia to adopt innovations. The results of this study are meant to attract the attention of policymakers and practitioners who are interested in the design and implementation of projects and programs fostering agricultural innovation and who may want to take into account the effects of social interaction and social capital. Meanwhile, scholars of the diffusion of innovations may find evidence to further embrace the complexity and interdependence of social interactions in their models and approaches." from Author's Abstract

Using diffusion of innovations framework to explain communal computing facilities adoption among the urban poor

Abstract: In general, studies of the adoption of communal computing facilities (CCFs) such as telecenters tend to be atheoretical. In this article, we use Rogers' diffusion of innovations (DoI) theory as a framework. As the number and variety of CCFs has increased, so has the number of research studies on CCFs. However, most of the studies are presented in isolation without using any theoretical framework. The use of frameworks would help to bring structure and rigor to the research in this field. This study analyses data from our existing articles on CCFs to see how well DoI would explain the adoption of CCFs operating among the urban poor in Cape Town, South Africa. The article considers all the five perceived attributes of innovation, channels of communication, social system in which the innovation is diffusing, and consequences of innovation. The article notes that DoI explains most of the adoption pattern of CCFs: All the five attributes of innovations influence adoption according to DoI. As a consequence, the article notes that the introduction of CCFs has consequences not only for the community but also for the institution hosting the CCF.

Understanding Older Adults' Attitudes and Adoption of Residential Technologies

Abstract: The main goal of this research was to understand older adults' attitudes and interests in residential technology products and services that have been adopted by them at a rate of less than 50%. This study explored the potential of these technology products and services to assist with aging in place. Early adopters of computer technologies are perceived as persons with early knowledge of newly introduced residential technologies. Moreover, considering older adults' preference for aging in place, assistance with technologies in residential settings would appear to have great potential. The results from this study have limitations in generalizing to all older adults, because a convenience sample was used. Although studies of early adopters may not provide information that can be generalized to the entire population, this study provides insight useful in understanding and estimating future trends for this population.

Discussing innovation and development: Converging points between the Latin American school and the Innovation Systems perspective?

Abstract: Since it was formulated in the 1980s, the Systems of Innovation approach has been increasingly used in different parts of world to analyze processes of acquisition, use and diffusion of innovations and to guide policy recommendations. In Latin America the structuralism tradition in discussing development developed since the 1950s under the influence of the Economic Commission of Latin America and Caribbean has also highlighted the importance of technical change in systemic terms.The paper aims at (1) identifying and discussing common aspects, as well as main differences between both approaches; and (2) exploring the advantages of linking these approaches particularly, but not exclusively, in the case of development. The importance of examining convergences between these frameworks is three fold. First, it contributes to a deeper reflection on the use of the concept of innovation systems in understanding and orienting the processes of innovation and capacity building in less developed countries. Second, we argue that both approaches can benefit a lot from incorporating contributions from each other. Finally, this effort of discussing conceptual coherence may even provide ground to identify convergences when comparing analytical and normative frameworks to be used in national systems of innovation and in development studies not only in the Americas but also in Africa, Asia, Oceania and Europe.

Diffusion of Online Reverse Auctions for B2B Procurement: An Exploratory Study

Abstract: Purpose – To investigate the diffusion of online reverse auctions by exploring differences between their early, late and lagging adopters. More specifically, adopter categories are compared against organizational characteristics and auction behavior as a result of learning. Organizational characteristics include number of employees and purchasing authority structure. Differences in learning are investigated by behavioral manifestations, consisting of the savings achieved, as well as the use of bundles in reverse auctions. Design/methodology/approach – Four hypotheses were developed based on academic and trade literature. Data were collected with a large-scale online survey among members of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), receiving 363 complete and useable responses. Records were split into three adopter categories based on whether the respondent’s firm adopted reverse auctions early (before April 2002) or late (after April 2002), or whether the adoption was merely planned. Differences related to the time of adoption were explored via nonparametric chi-squared contingency table analyses. The chi-square statistic was used to determine whether a hypothesis is supported or rejected. Findings – Adopter categories differ in regards to number of employees, the savings achieved, and their use of bundles. No differences were detected in terms of purchasing authority structure. Explanations for these findings are provided.Practical implications – The results support the diffusion of online reverse auctions, provide encouragement for their adoption especially also by smaller firms, and suggest that late adopters are not disadvantaged when compared to their early-adopting counterparts. Originality/value – No published studies have investigated the diffusion of online reverse auctions for B2B procurement, or explored potential differences between early adopters, late adopters and laggards.

Data Warehousing Infusion and Organizational Effectiveness

Abstract: Data warehousing (DW) has emerged as one of the most powerful technology innovations in recent years to support organization-wide decision making and has become a key component in the information technology (IT) infrastructure. Proponents of DW claim that its infusion can dramatically enhance the ability of businesses to improve the access, distribution, and sharing of information and provide managerial decision support for complex business questions. DW is also an enabling technology for data mining, customer-relationship management, and other business-intelligence applications. Although data warehouses have been around for quite some time, they have been plagued by high failure rates and limited spread or use. Drawing upon past research on the adoption and diffusion of innovations and on the implementation of information systems (IS), we examine the key organizational and innovation factors that influence the infusion (diffusion) of DW within organizations and also examine if more extensive infusion leads to improved organizational outcomes. In this paper, we conducted a field study, where two senior managers (one from IS and the other from a line function) from 117 companies participated, and developed a structural model to test the research hypotheses. The results indicate that four of the seven variables examined in this paper-organizational support, quality of the project management process, compatibility, and complexity-significantly influence the degree of infusion of DW and that the infusion, in turn, significantly influences organization-level benefits and stakeholder satisfaction. The findings of this paper have interesting implications for both research and practice in IT and DW infusion, as well as in the organization-level impact of the infusion of enterprise-wide infrastructural and decision support technologies such as DW.

Knowledge management for agricultural innovation: lessons from networking efforts in the Bolivian Agricultural Technology System

Abstract: This paper presents results of an analysis of adoption of innovations among farmers affiliated to four agricultural innovation projects in Bolivia that promote different modalities of knowledge management. In two of the cases, regional foundations of the Bolivian Agricultural Technology System (SIBTA) fostered knowledge management and exchange involving multiple-agents and results show that these are relatively more successful than traditional technology transfer projects. Results of the analysis at the individual farmers’ level demonstrate that the adoption of innovations is determined by the knowledge management modalities of the project to which they were affiliated to as well as by the degree of embeddedness of the farmer in local innovation and learning networks. This confirms current wisdom that farmers need intensive relations, not only to one type of extension or development agency but to many different agents, in order to be able to draw from a sufficient critical mass of Hartwich, F., M. Monge Perez, L. Ampuero Ramos and J.L Soto, 2007 Knowledge management for agricultural innovation: Lessons from networking efforts in the Bolivian Agricultural Technology System. Knowledge Management for Development Journal 3(2): 21-37 www.km4dev.org/journal 36 knowledge, gain confidence on the relevance of the knowledge, and learn jointly to apply and improve an innovation. Those who finance and promote agricultural innovation should consider that the creation and diffusion of innovation is a complex process which can be enhanced by fostering interactive learning among farmers and other agents that dispose of and develop farm relevant knowledge. About the authors Frank Hartwich is a research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute where he works on issues of innovation in pro-poor agricultural development. Before he worked with the International Service for National Agricultural Research in The Netherlands and the Natural Resources Institute in England in agricultural research and development issues in sub-Saharan Africa. His current research focuses on rural innovation networks, innovation systems theory and public-private partnerships, particularly in Latin America. He holds master degree titles in Agricultural Science from the University of Bonn, Germany, and in Management in Agro-business from ENSA Toulouse, France, and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Hohenheim, Germany. Frank Hartwich, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI ), c/o IICA, Apdo. 55-2200 San Jose, Costa Rica. E-mail: f.hartwich@cgiar.org. Mario Monge is a research analyst at the International Food Policy Research Institute. He specialized field of analysis is the application of Social Network Analysis to processes of innovation among resource poor farmers. Before he directed operations of an agricultural development project on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica (PRODAPEN) funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Prior to this he worked for the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE) as part of the Centre’s technical cooperation in Central America. His current research focuses on rural innovation networks and processes of adoption/diffusion of innovations in Bolivia and Nicaragua. Mario holds a M.Sc. degree in International Agricultural Development from the University of California at Davis. Mario Monge International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI ), c/o IICA, Apdo. 55-2200 San Jose, Costa Rica. E-mail: m.monge@cgiar.org Luis Ampuero works as a consultant on institutional development issues and agricultural innovation in Bolivia. He provides professional assistance to several private research and development organizations in the Andean region and Mexico. He also serves as President of the Fundacion Casa de la Agricultura, a non profit organization promoting rural development initiatives for low income farmers. Previously, he worked for the Interamerican Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), in Costa Rica and Peru. He holds a M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Iowa State University, and a M.Sc degree in Business Administration from the National University of Costa Rica. Luis Ampuero, P.O. Box 826, Cochabamba, Bolivia. E-mail: laampuero@yaho.com Jose Luis Soto is a socio-economist and gender specialist in the field of Andean Grains of the Foundation for the Promotion of Research and Andean Products (PROINPA) in Bolivia. His research focuses on the diffusion of innovation among smallholders and the assessment of the impact of technology adoption. He holds a Hartwich, F., M. Monge Perez, L. Ampuero Ramos and J.L Soto, 2007 Knowledge management for agricultural innovation: Lessons from networking efforts in the Bolivian Agricultural Technology System. Knowledge Management for Development Journal 3(2): 21-37 www.km4dev.org/journal 37 Master (M.Sc.) in Rural Development from the National University of the Altiplano in Puno, Peru. Jose Luis Soto, Fundacion para la Promocion e Investigacion de Productos Andinos (PROINPA), Apdo. 1078, La Paz, Bolivia. E-mail: jl.soto@proinpa.org 1 Innovation can be understood as a social process by which knowledge is created, adapted, diffused within a network of specialists and users and successfully applied in social and economic practices. 2 PROINPA-Jalsuri: Mean = 7.6 km, StDev = 9.15, CETHA PAIS: Mean 74.8 km, StDev = 45.6, ANAPO-Mairana: Mean = 12.9km, StDev = 7.6, PROINPA – Padilla: Mean 16.7 km, StDev = 23,7km

Tales of the expected: investigating the rhetorical strategies of innovation champions

Abstract: Innovation continues to be high on the agenda in construction. It is widely considered to be an essential prerequisite of improved performance both for the sector at large and for individual firms. Success stories dominate the parts of the academic literature that rely heavily on the recollections of key individuals. A complementary interpretation focuses on the way innovation champions in hindsight interpret, justify and legitimize the diffusion of innovations. Emphasis is put on the temporal dimension of interpretation and how this links to rhetorical strategies and impression management tactics. Rhetorical theories are drawn upon to analyse the accounts given by innovation champions in seven facilities management organizations. In particular, the three persuasive appeals in classic rhetoric are used to highlight the rhetorical justifications mobilized in the descriptions of what took place. The findings demonstrate the usefulness of rhetorical theories in complementing studies of innovation.

Extending the research agenda on diffusion: the case of public program interventions for the adoption of e-business systems in SMEs

Abstract: Given the importance of contextual influences on the diffusion of innovations, the theories and methodologies that take context into account are increasingly relevant to research and practice. One such approach, the systems of innovation approach, considers context to be a cascading set of effects arising from various participants and innovations surrounding the production and diffusion of a focal innovation. Based on this approach, we focus on a public program involved in the diffusion of e-business systems to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). E-business systems are complex innovations, and the contextual influences are particularly important here, because SMEs often lack the knowledge and resources to strategically adopt, modify, and use these innovations. Using the systems of innovation approach, we examined the contexts around public program interventions with an SME in order to explain their form and influence on e-business adoption processes. The empirical findings suggest that many public programs fail to effectively deliver interventions because program contexts restrict program personnel's ability to completely assess and respond to the range of adopter needs. While some aspects of the program contexts can be altered by the program directors, others are further removed and are currently beyond our collective control at this point-in-time. The implications for diffusion research and practice are discussed.

Diffusion of Innovation and Business Size: A Longitudinal Study of Pacia

Abstract: Purpose – Size is one of the most controversial influencing factors in the diffusion literature. This paper seeks to shed light on this controversy by examining the relationship between business size and the diffusion of both technological innovation and activity‐based costing (ABC) as an administrative innovation. The findings are expected to provide some guidelines for managers in helping them to determine how to facilitate the diffusion of innovations in their organisations.Design/methodology/approach – The research adopts a longitudinal survey method to examine practices within the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association, which is the pre‐eminent national body representing Australia's fourth largest manufacturing sector.Findings – The study suggests a significant positive relationship between business size and both technological innovation and the implementation of ABC.Originality/value – Knowledge of the impact of size on diffusion of innovation has been complicated by the mixed results of exta...

The Adoption of Innovation

Abstract: As a field, radiology is critically dependent on innovation This discipline was born with Roentgen’s discovery of x-rays, and it has been repeatedly renewed and even revolutionized by the introduction of new imaging technologies, such as ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography Thanks to such innovations, radiologists have played a progressively greater role in patient care The role of radiology in medicine has become so great that it is now difficult to imagine the practice of most clinical medical specialties without it Because radiology relies so heavily on continuous innovation, it is vital that radiologists possess a thorough understanding of the subject Practically speaking, innovation has two components: the development of new technologies and their adoption into clinical practice Both components are necessary if innovation is to make a difference One of the most important scholars of innovation theory in the latter half of the 20th century was Everett Rogers, who was born in 1931 and died in 2004 A faculty member for many years at the University of New Mexico, Rogers grew up on a farm in Iowa and eventually earned a PhD degree from the University of Iowa Intrigued by the remarkably different rates at which farmers adopted new agricultural products and technologies, Rogers developed a theory that he called the diffusion of innovations, which divided people into the following groups: innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards He plotted the rate of adoption of innovations on a graph, which produced an S-shaped or sigmoid curve Although Rogers published many articles and books, his work is summarized in his book, Diffusion of Innovations, which is now in its fifth edition (2) To understand the adoption of innovations, it is first necessary to identify the relevant stakeholders In radiologic innovation, key stakeholders include patients and their families; health care providers, such as physicians, nurses, and technologists; health care payers, such as government and private insurers; vendors who research, develop, and market the technology; and policy makers and regulators Proponents of a new technology who consider only one group of stakeholders are less likely to succeed than those who take into account all parties For example, it is possible to convince patients to adopt a new technology; however, if referring physicians or health care payers are not committed, the innovation is unlikely to be adopted quickly, and it may not be adopted at all Rogers described five key elements that govern the rate at which an innovation is adopted These elements are relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability Relative advantage refers to the degree to which a new technology is seen as superior to the technology already in use Compatibility concerns the degree to which the innovation is consistent with adopters’ preexisting values and experiences Complexity concerns how easy or difficult it is to understand and use the innovation Trialability is the degree to which the innovation can be experimented with on a limited basis Observability refers to the conspicuity of the innovation to other potential adopters To maximize the rate of adoption, an innovation needs to offer a Published online 101148/radiol2463061859

Using associative networks to represent adopters' beliefs in a multiagent model of innovation diffusion

Abstract: A lot of agent-based models were built to study diffusion of innovations. In most of these models, beliefs of individuals about the innovation were not represented at all, or in a highly simplified way. In this paper, we argue that representing beliefs could help to tackle problematics identified for diffusion of innovations, like misunderstanding of information, which can lead to diffusion failure, or diffusion of linked inventions. We propose a formalization of beliefs and messages as associative networks. This representation allows one to study the social representations of innovations and to validate diffusion models against real data. It could also make models usable to analyze diffusion prior to the product launch. Our approach is illustrated by a simulation of iPod™ diffusion.

Underlying Motivations for Establishing E-Commerce Business and Their Relationship to E-Commerce Success

Abstract: This paper examines the reasons companies begin to use e-Commerce and whether these e-Commerce initiatives have been successful. Two hundred and three Internet business executives were surveyed. A factor analysis indicated that there are two major underlying dimensions—short-term productivity gains and long-term company competitiveness—that motivate the establishment of e-Commerce. Additionally, the results indicate that companies are quite satisfied with their e-Commerce initiatives and that the majority of the companies have achieved their projected ROI.

Application of Diffusion of Innovations Models in Hospital Knowledge Management Systems: Lessons to Be Learned in Complex Organizations

Abstract: The authors identify a number of lessons to be learned regarding implementing a knowledge management system in hospitals. Building on the diffusion of innovations model, the authors address the development and implementation of a staffing productivity system designed to anticipate future hospital staffing needs. They describe the methodology behind the daily staff management system, efforts to market the system, and the implementation process and subsequent discontinuance of the system in a few early adopter hospitals. The authors address a number of principles of diffusion of innovations in the context of a complex adaptive system and provide insights into why some knowledge management systems fail.

A review of Six Sigma implementation frameworks and related literature

Abstract: This paper presents a review of Six Sigma focusing on implementation frameworks/models in the literature. The work is a part of a research project aimed at developing a Lean Six Sigma implementation framework for Indonesian SMEs. Most implementation frameworks examined used the concept of critical success factors in their development. In this paper, the authors examine four implementation frameworks found in the literature from two perspectives. Firstly, from a critical success factor perspective and secondly from the perspective of Rogers’ diffusion of innovations theory. None of the frameworks examined comprehensively address issues suggested by Rogers’ diffusion of innovations theory. The most robust framework appears to be the one developed by Burton and Sams. Our research suggests a customized implementation framework needs to be designed for Indonesian SMEs based on Rogers’ diffusion of innovations approach, but also drawing from literature on critical success factors.

Design of Innovation Policy through Diagnostic Analysis: Identification of Systemic Problems (or Failures)

Abstract: Activities’ in innovation systems are the determinants of the development and diffusion of innovations. Examples are RD it provides a framework for identification of systemic problems (or failures) in innovation systems.

Technology diffusion: analysing the diffusion of agent technologies

Abstract: Despite several examples of deployed agent systems, there remain barriers to the large-scale adoption of agent technologies. In order to understand these barriers, this paper considers aspects of marketing theory which deal with diffusion of innovations and their relevance to the agents domain and the current state of diffusion of agent technologies. In particular, the paper examines the role of standards in the adoption of new technologies, describes the agent standards landscape, and compares the development and diffusion of agent technologies with that of object-oriented programming. The paper also reports on a simulation model developed in order to consider different trajectories for the adoption of agent technologies, with trajectories based on various assumptions regarding industry structure and the existence of competing technology standards. We present details of the simulation model and its assumptions, along with the results of the simulation exercises.

The contribution of online news consumption to critical-reflective journalism professionals Likelihood patterns among Greek journalism students

Abstract: Evidence suggests that the internet is the medium with the most success in attracting young people to news, while traditional media have been facing increasing trouble since the 1980s. The emergence of cynical and sceptical attitudes about politics and the media has resulted in most young people becoming `news grazers' instead of regular news consumers. Journalism students, however, should be exposed to political information not only as part of their civic obligation, but also in order to be fully equipped to make essential contributions as future analysts and brokers of news. By proposing a conceptual approach on how online news consumption contributes to critical reflective journalism, and drawing upon informed citizenry theory, the knowledge gap hypothesis, the diffusion of innovations model and the uses and gratification perspective, this article attempts to investigate the determinants and consumption patterns of online news by journalists-to-be in Greece. It is argued that conventional predictors su...

A Step Towards the Adoption of Standards Within the UK Ministry of Defence

Abstract: A review of the literature shows that there is very limited empirical research into the factors that impact the adoption of ISO 10303, the Standard for the Exchange of Product Data (STEP). In particular no study has looked specifically at the adoption of STEP in the defence environment. Therefore, this paper seeks to identify factors that have impacted the adoption of STEP within the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). A multi-case study approach is used to contrast the adoption of STEP, with the adoption of a regional and UK national defence standard within the MoD. This approach was taken to identify the factors that are unique to the adoption of STEP and the factors that are common to the general adoption of standards within the MoD. It is envisaged that these results will contribute towards a better understanding of the factors critical to the adoption of data-exchange standards like STEP.