How an innovation is formed: A case study of Japanese word processors

Abstract

An innovation is formed in the social system through the diffusion process, and artifacts that embody the innovation alter their aspects considerably. This study proposes an innovation-diffusion model on the assumption that an innovation interacts with a social system, which shows dynamic and self-organizing characteristics. That is, firstly, an innovation appears that overthrows the existing technological paradigm. Secondly, after the appearance of an innovation, engineers or relevant professionals witnessing the innovation conduct various kinds of trial and error to compete with each other. Thirdly, under passing through the turmoil period, the social system in which an innovation has been implemented becomes changing its structure. Fourthly, once an innovation has surpassed the irreversible phase, obtaining the dominant design, it becomes embedded into the social system. In order to verify the model, I refer to the diffusion process of the Japanese word processors into the Japanese society around 1980s. Following the result of this study, this paper points out that the diffusion theory should be reconsidered, especially about the meanings of the critical mass, the dichotomy of the innovator–imitator model, and so on. Besides, strategic planners or policy makers would do well to construct innovation strategies or technology policies to implement the innovation by affecting such factors as the internal and external influence factors and the population of the potential adopters.