Diffusion of innovations

About: Diffusion of innovations is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2139 publications have been published within this topic receiving 191397 citations. The topic is also known as: diffusion of innovation & diffusion of innovations theory.

The inhibited (exhibited) spread of innovations

Abstract: This note makes general statements about standard models of the diffusion of innovations. Its premise is a familiar idea that innovations are socially-learned changes that spread like wildfires across diverse populations. However, the rate at which innovations spread is subject to the forces of exhibition and inhibition. Exhibitors promote the spread of innovations; inhibitors subjugate them. Hence, where the forces of subjugation are stronger than the forces of promotion, it is the slow spread, rather than the lack, of innovations which undermines the competitiveness of nations, and consequently frustrates economic performance. This suggests a need for a simple and more realistic model. Since the analytical components (basic equations and statistical inference) of the needed model are readily available, this note attempts a synthesis. Unfortunately in its current version the note is incomplete, and therefore makes only a tentative concluding remark. Even so, there is enough insight to warrant comment.

Measuring U.S. Innovative Activity

Abstract: Innovation has long been credited as a leading source of economic strength and vitality inthe United States because it leads to new goods and services and increases productivity, leading to better living standards. Better measures of innovative activities - activities including but not limited to innovation alone - could improve what we know about the sources of productivity and economic growth. The U.S. Census Bureau either currently collects, or has collected, data on some measures of innovative activities, such as the diffusion of innovations and technologies, human and organizational capital, entrepreneurship and other worker and firm characteristics,and the entry and exit of businesses, that research shows affect productivity and other measures of economic performance. But developing an understanding of how those effects work requires more than just measures of innovative activity. It also requires solid statistical information about core measures of the economy: that is, comprehensive coverage of all industries, including improved measures of output and sales and additional information on inputs and purchased materials at the micro (enterprise) level for the same economic unit over time (so the effects canbe measured). Filling gaps in core data would allow us to rule out the possibility that a measure of innovative activity merely proxies for something that is omitted from or measured poorly in the core data, provide more information about innovative activities, and strengthen our ability to evaluate the performance of the entire economy. These gaps can be filled by better integrating existing data and by more structured collections of new data.

A SWOT Analysis of Indigenous Language Use in Agricultural Radio Programming in Nigeria

Abstract: This chapter investigates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of indigenous language use in agricultural radio programming in Nigeria within the theoretical frame of diffusion of innovations as well as the theory of planned behaviour. This discourse affirms existing assertions that using indigenous languages in agricultural radio programming can guarantee farmers' access to information on issues of agro materials, utility applications, support accessories, funding, technology, conservation, marketing, and pedagogy. The study concludes that indigenous language use in agricultural radio programming engages agricultural programme producers and farmers through their opinion leaders. It recommends that the use of indigenous languages in agricultural radio programming in Nigeria should continue. However, the country's agro policy should protect all farmers irrespective of cultural or ethnic divides; and specifically cater to the needs of minority ethnic groups of farmers

Applying “Business Case” Construct Using the “Diffusion of Innovations” Theory Framework: Empirical Case Study in the Higher Education

Abstract: Real-world cases have highlighted the need for better understanding of the process by which risk-averse organizations introduce new enterprise systems. There is a particular need to focus on the “business case document” which comprehensively outlines the pros and cons of adopting the new system. This chapter describes the complex innovation and diffusion process of enterprise systems as not described before. It asks questions about how information on a new system is communicated to potential stakeholders. Taking the specific case of a large public sector university, it examines all the processes involved in evaluating whether a new ­system is right for an organization and convincing both end-users and upper management to approve the change. Accordingly, any document that drives this change must be as credible as possible. And so, this paper looks at the possible sources of credibility for both the document and the sponsor who writes it.