Innovation Diffusion Model Research Articles

Mediator's role in an innovation ecosystem

The diffusion of new innovations into a business ecosystem is an interesting phenomenon. In order to gain competitive advantage for SMEs and also to add value in SME networks, the dynamic nature of the business ecosystem demands the capability to adapt new ideas. On the other hand, the risk-bearing ability of SMEs alone can be a barrier to the utilisation of novel innovations. In order to answer our research question - how to improve innovation diffusion in a business ecosystem via SME networks in collaboration with academia? - in this article we introduce the mediator-assisted innovation diffusion (MAID) model. The model was tested in multiple case studies where a total of 18 organisations participated. In the conceptual part of this paper we discuss the context of business and innovation ecosystems, the process of innovation diffusion and the mediator's role in value creation for SME networks in such an evolving ecosystem.

Mediator's role in an innovation ecosystem

The diffusion of new innovations into a business ecosystem is an interesting phenomenon. In order to gain competitive advantage for SMEs and also to add value in SME networks, the dynamic nature of the business ecosystem demands the capability to adapt new ideas. On the other hand, the risk-bearing ability of SMEs alone can be a barrier to the utilisation of novel innovations. In order to answer our research question - how to improve innovation diffusion in a business ecosystem via SME networks in collaboration with academia? - in this article we introduce the mediator-assisted innovation diffusion (MAID) model. The model was tested in multiple case studies where a total of 18 organisations participated. In the conceptual part of this paper we discuss the context of business and innovation ecosystems, the process of innovation diffusion and the mediator's role in value creation for SME networks in such an evolving ecosystem.

Diffusion of Innovations model helps interpret the comparative uptake of two methodological innovations: co-authorship network analysis and recommendations for the integration of novel methods in practice

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to characterize the diffusion of methodological innovation. Study Design and SettingComparative case study analysis of the diffusion of two methods that summarize confounder information into a single score: disease risk score (DRS) and high-dimensional propensity score (hdPS). We completed systematic searches to identify DRS and hdPS papers in the field of pharmacoepidemiology through to the end of 2013, plotted the number of papers and unique authors over time, and created sociograms and animations to visualize co-authorship networks. First and last author affiliations were used to ascribe institutional contributions to each paper and network. ResultsWe identified 43 DRS papers by 153 authors since 1981, reflecting slow uptake during initial periods of uncertainty and broader diffusion since 2001 linked to early adopters from Vanderbilt. We identified 44 hdPS papers by 147 authors since 2009, reflecting rapid and integrated diffusion, likely facilitated by opinion leaders, early presentation at conferences, easily accessible statistical code, and improvement in funding. Most contributions (87% DRS, 96% hdPS) were from North America. ConclusionWhen proposing new methods, authors are encouraged to consider innovation attributes and early evaluation to improve knowledge translation of their innovations for integration into practice, and we provide recommendations for consideration.

A stochastic two-stage innovation diffusion model on a lattice

Abstract We propose a stochastic model describing a process of awareness, evaluation, and decision making by agents on the d-dimensional integer lattice. Each agent may be in any of the three states belonging to the set {0, 1, 2. In this model 0 stands for ignorants, 1 for aware, and 2 for adopters. Aware and adopters inform its nearest ignorant neighbors about a new product innovation at rate λ. At rate α an agent in aware state becomes an adopter due to the influence of adopters' neighbors. Finally, aware and adopters forget the information about the new product, thus becoming ignorant, at rate 1. Our purpose is to analyze the influence of the parameters on the qualitative behavior of the process. We obtain sufficient conditions under which the innovation diffusion (and adoption) either becomes extinct or propagates through the population with positive probability.

Diffusion of the Balanced Scorecard: The Experience of a Sri Lankan Financial Institution

Over the past two decades various management accounting innovations, such as the balanced scorecard, activity-based costing, activity-based management and target costing have been diffused to organizations across the world. Although the merits of these tools and their application in various countries have been well researched, currently there is only limited understanding of how and why such tools get diffused in different organizational contexts. The purpose of this paper is to examine how and why the balanced scorecard has been diffused in a leading private sector financial institution in Sri Lanka. We adopt the qualitative methodology and the case study approach, and the data has been collected through in-depth interviews conducted with various managers and through documentary sources. The evidence gathered show that demand-side as well as supply-side forces have been significant in the diffusion of the balanced scorecard. This study makes an important contribution to the literature by offering a dynamic perspective on the diffusion of management accounting innovations, through a theoretical framework which brings together the supply-side as well as the demand-side forces into a single innovation diffusion model. The study also provides valuable insights for managers into the implementation and diffusion of management accounting tools such as the balanced scorecard.

Determinants of Procure-to-Pay System Adoption in the County Government of Bomet, Kenya

The purpose of this paper was to examine the determinants of effective adoption of procure-to-pay system in County Government of Bomet. The study was steered by the following research objectives: to examine how Information Communication Technology infrastructure influence effective adoption of procure-to-pay system; to evaluate how staff training influence effective adoption of procure-to-pay system and to find out the influence of management on effective adoption of procure-to-pay system. The study used two theories namely; the theory of innovation diffusion and technology adoption model. The study population comprised of 57 employees working in County Information Communication Technology, procurement and finance office and the county director of procurement. Owing to the limited number of employees in the three departments, all the employees were involved in the study making the study a census survey. The study used structured questionnaires in data collection. A pilot study was conducted in Bomet County to determine validity of the research instruments where Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used. For the purpose of establishing the relationship between the independent and dependent variable, chi square test and regression analysis was carried out. The study revealed that ICT infrastructure, staff training and management support are all critical determinants of procure-to-pay system. The study recommends that the government policy makers should come up with written guidelines in development of ICT infrastructure in public organizations. Management of county governments should identify training needs, develop training strategies and conduct regular and effective training on adoption of innovative strategies like procure to pay system. Further studies should be conducted to assess the role of the national government in adoption of procure to pay system. Studies should be conducted to assess the challenges faced by public organizations in adoption of procure to pay system and suggest possible solutions to the challenges. Lastly, further studies should be conducted to assess the benefits of adoption of procure to pay system.

BIM adoption within Australian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs): an innovation diffusion model

Despite the envisaged benefits of BIM adoption for SMEs, BIM in SMEs has remained an underrepresented area within the available academic literature. This study proposes and draws upon a framework grounded on innovation diffusion theory (IDT) to provide an illuminating insight into the current state of BIM and the main barriers to BIM adoption within Australian SMEs. Based on analyses of 135 questionnaires completed by SMEs through partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and grounded on the proposed framework, the current state of BIM adoption and barriers to BIM adoption for SMEs are discussed. The findings show that currently around 42% of Australian SMEs use BIM in Level 1 and Level 2 with only around 5% have tried Level 3. It comes to light that lack of knowledge within SMEs and across the construction supply chain is not a major barrier for Australian SMEs. In essence, the main barriers stem from the risks associated with an uncertain return on investment (ROI) for BIM as perceived by key players in SMEs. The findings also show the validity of the framework proposed for explaining BIM adoption in Australian SMEs.

Determinants of e-government diffusion in Nigeria

While Nigeria began its e-government initiatives in the early 2000s, the country is still in the early stages of e-government development, with very low e-government diffusion among its population. Through the administration of survey questionnaires, this paper first identifies the benefits of e-government, and then examines factors of e-government diffusion in Nigeria via three theoretical models of innovation diffusion (Technology Acceptance Model, Diffusion of Innovation theory, and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology). Results of the study suggest that the anticipated benefits of e-government in Nigeria are similar to those found in other studies in the e-government literature. Prominent factors of e-government diffusion found in the study capture the dimensions of the three theories. However, due to the unique nature of the Nigerian context, two factors (trust in government and reliable electricity supply) of e-government diffusion identified in the study are not within the dimensions of the theoretical models. The paper suggests that the Nigerian government should address the factors identified in the study (such as reliable electricity supply, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, relative advantage, etc.) in order to facilitate e-government diffusion in the country. The study therefore provides a basis within which policy makers should aim to improve the deployment and diffusion of e-government in Nigeria.

An innovation diffusion model for consumer durables with three parameters

Strategic innovation diffusion converts newly created knowledge into increasing a firm’s value primarily through innovative product offerings. In this paper, we present a time-based adoption pattern with pricing and promotional expenditure as a three-dimensional innovation diffusion model (3D-IDM). In our proposed 3D-IDM, we assume that value of the product plays a crucial role of being the major driver of diffusion, and is classified into the following three main factors: (1) continuation time of the product in the market – representing goodwill of the product; (2) price of the product – indicating consumers’ buying behaviour; and (3) marketing efforts of the firm. A special form of the Cobb–Douglas production function is used to design the three-dimensional framework. An empirical study is performed on number of consumer-durable sales data to validate and compare the proposed model. Various performance measures are treated uniquely using the Mahalanobis distance-based approach (DBA) to determine the relative strength of each model.

Linking Consumer Opinions with Reservation Prices in an Agent-Based Model of Innovation Diffusion

We extend a recently developed agent-based model of innovation diffusion by linking the opinions of potential consumers with their market behavior via the concept of reservation prices. Through a dynamic mechanism that takes into account social influence, the agents in our model can both increase or decrease their product appraisal. Considering complete graph network structures and using mean-field treatment we find that the model can exhibit a plethora of scenarios, observed empirically but not attainable within the classical Bass model. We also show the existence of a critical market price above which the innovation cannot diffuse.

Impact of Social Interactions on Demand Curves for Innovative Products

Empirical studies suggest that word-of-mouth (WOM) strongly influences the innovation diffusion process and is responsible for the 'S' shape of the adoption curve. However, it is not clear how WOM affects demand curves for innovative products and strategic decisions of producers. Using an agent-based model of innovation diffusion, which links consumer opinions with reservation prices, we show that a relatively strong WOM effect can lead to the creation of two separated price-quantity regimes, with a nonlinear transition between them. A small shift of the product's market price can result in a drastic change of the demanded quantity and, hence, the revenues of a firm. Using Monte Carlo simulations and mean-field treatment we demonstrate that WOM may have ambiguous consequences and should be taken into account when designing marketing strategies.

On the contributions and the validation of an agent-based simulation model of innovation diffusion

Purpose This paper provides an overview of agent-based modeling and simulation (ABMS) and evaluates the questions that have been raised regarding the “assumptions and mechanisms used” by a well-cited paper that has used this methodology. Design/methodology/approach This work provides a review of agent-based simulation modeling and its capabilities to advance and test theory. The commentary then evaluates and addresses the raised questions and reservations. Findings Agent-based modeling offers unique capabilities that can be used to explore complex phenomena in business and marketing. Some of the raised reservations may be considered as directions for future research. However, the criticisms are for most part unsupported by existing research and do not undermine the contributions of the paper that is being discussed. Practical implications Given its relative novelty, reservations regarding agent-based simulation modeling are quite natural. Discussions like this one would bring together different points of view and lead to a better understanding of how using ABMS can benefit academia and industry. Originality/value This commentary is part of an intellectual dialogue that seeks to provide different points of view about agent-based simulation modeling using a specific paper as an example.

Lifestyles, innovation attributes, and teachers' adoption of game-based learning: Comparing non-adopters with early adopters, adopters and likely adopters in Taiwan

The purpose of this study was to understand the factors that affected teachers' adoption of game-based learning (GBL). In particular, this study paid special attention to the non-adopters who did not have any intentions to adopt GBL in the future and examined how these non-adopters differed from the early adopters, adopters and likely adopters. Based on Rogers' diffusion of innovation model, this study identified three factors--lifestyles, perceived attributes of GBL, and demographics--as significant predictors for adoption. Two methods were adopted by this study: First, this study conducted 15 intensive interviews to construct questions regarding the perceived attributes of GBL. Second, using a purposive sampling method, this study mailed 347 questionnaires to teachers in Taiwan's elementary schools and obtained 307 valid questionnaires.Two conclusions were drawn from the data analysis: (1) lifestyles and perceived attributes exerted a strong effect, whereas demographics only had a moderate effect in discriminating non-adopters from adopters and likely adopters; (2) the non-adopters in this study were more likely to be males instead of females, to have more teaching experience, to be older, to have no experience with video games, and to be better educated.

Strategic Conformance: Overcoming Acceptance Issues of Decision Aiding Automation?

Cognitive engineering researchers have long studied the complexity and reliability of human–automation interaction. Historically, though, the area of human–automation decision-making compatibility has received less attention. Paradoxically, this could in the future become one of the most critical issues of all, as mismatches between human and automation problem-solving styles could threaten the adoption of automation. This paper presents the concept of strategic conformance as a potential key factor influencing initial acceptance of automation, specifically decision aiding systems capable of guiding decision and action. Here, strategic conformance represents the match in problem-solving style between decision aiding automation and the individual operator. The theoretical foundation builds on the compatibility construct found in technology acceptance theories such as the innovation diffusion and technology acceptance models. The paper concludes with a critical discussion on the limitations and drawbacks of strategic conformance. It is proposed that the construct would be most applicable at the introductory phase of new decision aiding automation, in helping to foster operators’ initial acceptance of such automation.

Predicting the adoption of evidence-based practice using “Rogers diffusion of innovation model”

Introduction: Predicting the significant determinants of adopting evidence-based practice (EBP) by nursing students has received little attention in the nursing education literature. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of EBP adoption among Iranian nursing students and to evaluate the fitness of the research model derived from Rogers’ model. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey of 170 nursing students. A path analysis was conducted to predict the determinants of EBP in nursing students. Also, direct and indirect effects of the variables were calculated. Results: The results indicated that knowledge of EBP as well as its perceived complexity, observability and trialability significantly predicted the adoption of EBP. Among the variables, knowledge of EBP had the greatest total impact on the adoption of EBP (P < .05). Also, the results of indices (χ2 = 30.06, P = .000; GFI = 0.96; CFI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.11) indicated an adequate model fit to the data. Conclusion: Nursing educators can identify the predictors of EBP in order to enhance the education and adoption of EBP. The results of this study can be used by health professionals such as nursing managers and educators for teaching any new concept in clinical and educational settings such as EBP.

School staff, parent and student perceptions of a Breakfast in the Classroom model during initial implementation.

To understand perspectives of stakeholders during initial district-wide implementation of a Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) model of the School Breakfast Program. Qualitative data were collected from twenty-nine focus groups and twenty interviews with stakeholders in a school district early in the process of implementing a BIC model of the School Breakfast Program. Ten elementary schools within a large, urban school district in the USA that served predominantly low-income, racial/ethnic minority students. Purposively selected stakeholders in elementary schools that had implemented BIC for 3-6 months: students (n 85), parents/guardians (n 86), classroom teachers (n 44), cafeteria managers (n 10) and principals (n 10). Four primary themes emerged, which were interpreted based on the Diffusion of Innovations model. School staff had changed their perceptions of both the relative disadvantages and costs related to time and effort of BIC over time; the majority of each stakeholder group expressed an appreciation for BIC; student breakfast consumption varied from day to day, related to compatibility of foods with child preferences; and stakeholders held mixed and various impressions of BIC's potential impacts. The study underscores the importance of engaging school staff and parents in discussions of BIC programming prior to its initiation to pre-emptively address concerns related to cost, relative disadvantages and compatibility with child preferences and school routines/workflow. Effectively communicating with stakeholders about positive impacts and nutritional value of the meals may improve support for BIC. These findings provide new information to policy makers, districts and practitioners that can be used to improve implementation efforts, model delivery and outcomes.

Generating technology development paths to the desired future through system dynamics modeling and simulation

Technology foresight is usually conducted by government or industry associations and can serve to provide companies with information on critical technologies that a country or industry intends to develop in the next ten to twenty years. For individual companies to benefit from foresight results and transform them into specific technology development plans, the relationships between the desired technologies and the dynamic business environment need to be understood. In this article, an innovation diffusion model implemented via system dynamics simulation is used to operationalize the link between foresight and planning. It helps company decision makers visualize the diffusion process of the innovation inhabiting the chosen technology and determine the critical parameters quantitatively through experiments and analysis. Using these results, possible paths leading to the desired future of the chosen technology can be generated and plans be prepared to guide the effective development of the technology, essential infrastructure, and key applications. An example is presented at the end to illustrate the application of the proposed method that helps a Chinese service carrier to plan for its 4G wireless communication network expansion.

Modelling of the Innovation Diffusion in the Framework of the National Innovation System

Structural changes in the components of the global socio-economic development, conditions of instability limiting Russia’s access to international financial resources, technology, low activity of industrial enterprises in the development of knowledge-intensive areas of production determine the need for improvements in technology creation and innovation diffusion in the framework of the national innovation system through the use of competency centers potential in various areas of expertise for the development and introduction of advanced science and technology in the practice of economic activity of industrial enterprises. As part of our proposed development of an innovative concept the central place is occupied by the phenomenon of innovation diffusion, which is associated with the spread of product and process innovation through the system of information, economic, organization and management links between all elements and subsystems of the national innovation system. When speaking on innovation diffusion the E. Rogers point of view, who defined the innovation diffusion as a process by which an innovation goes in time and space through communication channels among the participants of the socio-economic system has become classic. The author’s model of innovation diffusion, taking into account the specifics of the Russian Federation, is a relationship of six members: 1) RD 2) large, small and medium businesses; 3) the State; 4) technological centers of excellence; 5) offshore design and programming centers; 6) regional engineering centers. According to the authors, the current world market requires a model of diffusion of innovations, which is the combination of technology transfer and knowledge spillover, based on the type of multilateral networking. The novelty of the proposed model of innovation diffusion lies in the fact that the theoretical models of innovation diffusion of other authors did not take into account the peculiarities of innovations diffusion in each country, and in particular, the authors of the model take into account the innovation diffusion only for the Russian Federation in modern conditions. The proposed measures for the innovation diffusion in the Russian Federation are based on the analysis of statistical indicators to measure technology transfer for the 2010–2014, collected by the Federal Service of State Statistics from the «balance of payments for technology» form.

Medical Representatives' Intention to Use Information Technology in Pharmaceutical Marketing.

ObjectivesElectronic detailing (e-detailing), the use of electronic devices to facilitate sales presentations to physicians, has been adopted and expanded in the pharmaceutical industry. To maximize the potential outcome of e-detailing, it is important to understand medical representatives (MRs)' behavior and attitude to e-detailing. This study investigates how information technology devices such as laptop computers and tablet PCs are utilized in pharmaceutical marketing, and it analyzes the factors influencing MRs' intention to use devices.MethodsThis study has adopted and modified the theory of Roger's diffusion of innovation model and the technology acceptance model. To test the model empirically, a questionnaire survey was conducted with 221 MRs who were working in three multinational or eleven domestic pharmaceutical companies in Korea.ResultsOverall, 28% and 35% of MRs experienced using laptop computers and tablet PCs in pharmaceutical marketing, respectively. However, the rates were different across different groups of MRs, categorized by age, education level, position, and career. The results showed that MRs' intention to use information technology devices was significantly influenced by perceived usefulness in general. Perceived ease of use, organizational and individual innovativeness, and several MR characteristics were also found to have significant impacts.ConclusionsThis study provides timely information about e-detailing devices to marketing managers and policy makers in the pharmaceutical industry for successful marketing strategy development by understanding the needs of MRs' intention to use information technology. Further in-depth study should be conducted to understand obstacles and limitations and to improve the strategies for better marketing tools.

The Impact of Product Failure on Innovation Diffusion: The Example of the Cargo Bike as Alternative Vehicle for Urban Transport

The Impact of Product Failure on Innovation Diffusion: The Example of the Cargo Bike as Alternative Vehicle for Urban Transport