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 Power of Trees: Agroforestry diffusion among small-scale farmers in Uganda

Abstract: Uganda previously had the reputation of being Africa’s food basket, which unfortunately no longer is the case. To mitigate the downwards spiral of soil depletion many organisations, both governmental and non-governmental, introduce land-management systems to farmers, with agroforestry being one example. This study aims to elucidate the importance of the dissemination of information in the context of agroforestry among among small-scale farmers in Southern Uganda. More precisely, we focus on impacting factors such as sources and channels of knowledge and information about agroforestry in relation to farmers’ situation and preferences. To that end, we employ Everett Rogers’ diffusion of innovation theory, while including a power aspect in the equation. Through a qualitative case study we found that a lack of knowledge within the target group and lack of acknowledgement of the power dynamics, do impede the diffusion process. While many farmers do adopt agroforestry techniques, they do so without including the core element; trees. This may improve farming practices on a short-term, however, the potential benefits and long-term sustainability of the NRM system is questionable.

.comUnity : A study on the adoption and diffusion of internet technologies in a regional tourism network

Abstract: This thesis describes the initiation and evolution of an action research project, which investigates the adoption and diffusion of Internet technologies in a regional Australian tourism network. The research evolved out of a portal development consultancy. The aim of the study was two-fold: to investigate the nature of the change process when a collaborative network seeks to adopt e-commerce; and to determine how the change process differed in the face of incremental change (adding some e-commerce solutions to the network), or radical change (changing the overall business model). The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding of the economic, strategic and social potential of regional business networks in the current techno-economic climate. The study builds on Rogers' (1995) seminal work on the diffusion of innovations and makes a unique contribution to existing diffusion studies by its focus on the nature of the network links as the unit of analysis; and by its application of an action-oriented methodology to untangle the effects of the embedded network structure on diffusion. The study suggests a strong relationship between diffusion and network positioning, both in terms of place (status and position in the network) and space (the geographic make-up of the network). Diffusion further hinged on network cohesion, actors' trust in and engagement with the network. Adoption of e-commerce was obstructed by actors’ worldview; lack of time, reflexive learning, and commitment to change. The incorporation in the study’s diffusion framework of contextual moderators such as network position, worldview, trust, time and commitment considerably extends Rogers’ traditional diffusion framework. Based on its emergent analysis framework, the study introduces a dynamic change model towards sustainable regional network development. It is suggested that both the diffusion framework and the regional innovation model developed in this study may, either jointly or separately, be applicable beyond the tourism and service sector.%%%%Doctor of Philosophy

Perceived consequences and concerns in the diffusion of Internet2 at Texas A&M University

Abstract: Perceived Consequences and Concerns in the Diffusion of Internet2 at Texas AM M.S., National Polytechnic Institute Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Kim E. Dooley Dr. Larry M. Dooley The purpose of this inquiry was to examine the consequences and concerns with the diffusion of Internet2 at Texas A&M University (TAMU). Internet2 is a university-led effort to develop advanced network applications and the network technologies needed to support them. Internet2 adoption at TAMU took place towards the end of the 90s decade with the inclusion of the university in the University Corporation for the Advanced Internet Development (UCAID). This dissertation reviewed the Internet development and its relationship to universities. There were two theoretical models of change used, Diffusion of Innovations and Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM). Specifically, “the consequences of change” was the focus in the Diffusion model, and “the stages of concern” was the focus in CBAM.

Industry relative advantage across the value chain and the diffusion of quality certificates

Abstract: The study explores whether and how cross-country and cross-industry differences in the diffusion of innovations are affected by the relative advantage of national industries across the value chain. We use diffusion literature to develop an analytical framework of how industries with diverse comparative advantage across the value chain may observe different rates of management innovation adoption. Empirically, it focuses on the diffusion of ISO9000 certificates, between 2001 and 2004, across manufacturing industries, in seven OECD countries. Taking into consideration the international trade relationships as well as industry, country, and time fixed effects, regression results suggest that the differences in industry comparative advantage in the knowledge, conversion and product markets, generates differences in the levels of innovation adoption. These effects are not homogeneous across low-tech and high-tech industries or across countries occupying diverse positions on the global trade networks.