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.

Long-Term Barriers to the International Diffusion of Innovations

Abstract: We document an empirical relationship between the cross-country adoption of technologies and the degree of long-term historical relatedness between human populations. Historical relatedness is measured using genetic distance, a measure of the time since two populations' last common ancestors. We find that the measure of human relatedness that is relevant to explain international technology diffusion is genetic distance relative to the world technological frontier ("relative frontier distance"). This evidence is consistent with long-term historical relatedness acting as a barrier to technology adoption: societies that are more distant from the technological frontier tend to face higher imitation costs. The results can help explain current differences in total factor productivity and income per capita across countries.

Determinants of Grid Assimilation in the Financial Services Industry: An Institutional Theory Perspective

Abstract: Financial services providers are exposed to different sources of institutional pressure arising from the intensive competition and regulation in the banking sector. Against this background, Grid technology assimilation can be seen as a potential strategic response to increasing requirements in terms of complex new financial products, the assessment of arising risks, and sophisticated investment strategies. However, so far little empirical research has been conducted to quantify the determinants of Grid assimilation in the financial services industry. Grounded in the technology-organizationenvironment framework, this article provides a holistic perspective on the determinants of Grid assimilation and the role of institutional pressure in the assimilation process. The derived hypotheses were tested based on 197 complete responses from IT decision makers of financial services providers that already have implemented Grid technology. The results from partial least squares analyses suggest a strong positive impact of mimetic and normative pressure on Grid assimilation, but surprisingly do not support the hypothesized strong relationship of coercive pressure on Grid assimilation. The derived and validated conceptual model contributes to the diffusion of innovations and IS assimilation theory by further integrating institutional theory into the technology-organizationenvironment framework.

Permeating innovative technologies throughout the institution

Abstract: Institutions of higher education are regarded as breeding grounds for innovation. Oftentimes, though, continuous innovation leaves little time for the innovation or technology to permeate through the institution. Furthermore, continuous research and development of new systems, services, and technologies without regard for implementation can cost the institution much in terms of frustration, effort, and money.Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations model holds that there is a normal curve of adopters of technologies that can be divided into five groups: innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards. Information technology units can benefit immensely by reviewing the diffusion of innovations model and adopting practices that contribute to the diffusion or permeation of an innovation through the university community, particularly the academic community. An extension of Rogers' model holds that an instructor must teach a course at least four times before a technology becomes permanently embedded in the curriculum. Therefore, a major variable affecting the adoption rate is time.Technology units can use certain techniques to hasten the adoption of technology. Those techniques include: focused faculty development workshops, brown bag luncheons, disseminating information to academic department heads and chairs, continuous and repeated communication using multiple formats, and, of course, offering incentives to faculty to use and adopt innovative technologies.

Using Theory to Enhance Technology Transfer and Diffusion of Innovations

Abstract: In our article and presentation, we explore how communication science uses empirical testing to evaluate theories and illustrate how testable theories can be of value to technical communication practitioners and researchers. We then illustrate key concepts using Rogers' research on diffusion of innovations and technology transfer. We discuss how technical communication practitioners can use communication theories to guide the development of communication plans and produce communication messages. We close by discussing how technical communication researchers can use theory to guide their research and illustrate the need to advance communication theories.