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.

process by which innovations diffuse

Abstract: from individual to individual within a social communication network. The geographic scale within which such diffusion processes occur is localized. While less extensive, there also are some empirical studies that have dealt with the diffusion of innovations within regional and national settings [3; 9; 18; 23]. Characteristically, such studies are concerned with the spread of new techniques, organizations, or ideas over large geographic areas; often the adopting unit is a business, a city, or some other institution. Another distinguishing feature of diffusion processes at this geographic scale is that innovations are thought to filter down the urban hierarchy. By contrast, those at the international scale are extremely small in number, and even fewer deal with the spatial diffusion of political phenomena. However, an excellent opportunity to assess such a diffusion is provided in sub-Saharan Africa where a series of changes in governmental regimes had been brought about by explicit or implicit uses of force. Most of the countries in the sub-Saharan African region have achieved their independence since 1960. In addition, except for Zanzibar, all of the countries are contiguous and have in common certain political and economic characteristics. Further, coups d'etat have been of sufficient number to provide a basis for a spatial diffusion analysis.

Diffusion and System Change - A Case Study of Innovations in a Course Management System.

Abstract: This case study in progress compares two stages of usage of a Course Management System at a private university: before a major functionality upgrade, and after. Here, we report the initial study of usage before the upgrade. It extends current research by taking into account prior use, and noting features (whether in the previous system or not) that attract new implementers. The focus of the study is on Perceived Characteristics of Innovations and management behaviors that facilitate effective implementation of system features. The instrument used by Van Slyke, Lou and Day will be used to study secondary adoption both before and after the upgrade, as described by Gallivan (2001). Results of the first phase of research will be available for presentation at the conference.

Bureaucratic innovation in urban government: A policy model

Abstract: The paper reports the results of a study examining the diffusion of innovations across four different units of local government. Using partial correlation coefficients to test a hypothesized model, the variables were successful in explaining the adoption of process innovations but showed limited success in explaining product adoptions. Socioeconomic variables were not found to be significant direct determinants of innovation. Demands for innovations, organizational characteristics, and the organizational environment were much more important predictors of the use of innovations by local governments.

Starting Building a IT Policy: A Quest to IT Success

Abstract: An organization uses information technology (IT), because the IT is consistent with the functional and operational objectives designed by that organization. The investment that is required to place technological innovation in an organization carries significant weight. This weight can be translated into decision making or monetary costs. It is therefore important that after implementation, ensured close monitoring of their use and such monitoring can take many forms, one of which can be explicit through a usage policy. It is the responsibility of the technology manager, to outline the best policy to use the technology that was adopted first by, taking into account the need of the organization and secondly to ensure the construction of monitoring mechanisms and set up conditions to facilitate its successful use. Therefore, the study of the adoption and diffusion of a technological innovation provides these professionals more tools that can assist in the preparation of these strategies, without forgetting that it is necessary to plan at the user level and not only to assist the management in its objectives.

Complexity of adoption and diffusion of ecological sanitation technology: a review of literature

Abstract: Ecological sanitation (Ecosan) technology was introduced to improve sanitation through the reuse of excreta resources, particularly in developing countries. However, the adoption of Ecosan technology is low which makes its diffusion complex, especially in diverse spatial and socio-cultural contexts. This review of literature aimed to use the innovation theory to identify the issues that make the process of adoption of Ecosan technology complex. A total of 105 published studies were reviewed. Of these, only 34 studies were analyzed and grouped according to the complexity of the diffusion of Ecological sanitation technology using the five stages of innovation diffusion conceptual model identified by Everett Rogers (2003) namely: knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation, and confirmation. The studies revealed the existence of diverse complexities of adoption, such as lack of sanitation policy, phobia against the use of Ecosan by-products, lack of technical support, and safety issues. In addition, poor practical knowledge, illiteracy, high capital cost, disgust with human excreta, religious taboos, and cultural boundaries were also found to hinder the smooth diffusion of Ecosan technology in various geographical settings. The scale-up of Ecosan technology, therefore, needs to focus on addressing these barriers and adopting implementation best practices.