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Diffusion of innovation is a theory of how, why, and at what rate new ideas and technology spread through cultures. Everett Rogers introduced it in his 1962 book, Diffusion of Innovations, writing that "Diffusion is the process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among the members of a social system."¹

The S-Curve and technology adoption

Rogers theorized that innovations would spread through society in an S curve,² as the early adopters select the technology first, followed by the majority, until a technology or innovation is common.

According to Rogers, diffusion research centers on the conditions which increase or decrease the likelihood that a new idea, product, or practice will be adopted by members of a given culture. According to Rogers people’s attitude toward a new technology is a key element in its diffusion. Roger’s Innovation Decision Process theory states that innovation diffusion is a process that occurs over time through five stages: Knowledge, Persuasion, Decision, Implementation and Confirmation. Accordingly, the innovation-decision process is the process through which an individual or other decision-making unit passes 1. from first knowledge of an innovation, 2. to forming an attitude toward the innovation, 3. to a decision to adopt or reject, 4. to implementation of the new idea, and 5. to confirmation of this decision.³

Various computer models have been developed in order to simulate the diffusion of innovations. Veneris⁴ ⁵ developed a systems dynamics computer model which takes into account various diffusion patterns modeled via differential equations.

Diffusion of innovations.html

Contents

The S-Curve and technology adoption

See also

References

External links