Lag In Adoption Research Articles

The capacity for adopting energy innovations in Portugal: Historical evidence and perspectives for the future

This paper investigates the speed of adoption of energy technologies in a traditionally innovation importing country, Portugal, as compared with countries where these technologies first started. Data were collected on the growth of eight energy-related technologies, both energy supply (e.g. natural gas plants, wind turbines) and end-use (e.g., motorcycles). The analysis is done in terms of the evolution of the number of units and installed capacity, indicating possible scale effects. The results show an average adoption lag of one to two decades relatively to “Core” countries. However, the growth rate increases when a technology arrives at Portugal, confirming the hypothesis that adoption accelerates when technology reaches new markets. Additionally, the duration of diffusion in Portugal is less constrained by the final scale of diffusion, contrasting with previous observations for the Core. The data also uncover the successful diffusion of wind energy in Portugal, showing that growth took off less than a decade after the diffusion in the Core, and achieving similar levels of intensity. The analysis suggests that this was supported by the improvement in the adoption capacity, associated with the development of a wind energy innovation system. These findings open new perspectives for the spatial diffusion of sustainable innovations.

State behavior and the nuclear nonproliferation regime

This is the first book-length study of why states sometimes ignore, oppose, or undermine elements of the nuclear nonproliferation regime--even as they formally support it. Anchored by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the nuclear nonproliferation regime is the constellation of agreements, initiatives, and norms that work in concert to regulate nuclear material and technology. The essays gathered here show that attitudes on nonproliferation depend on a complex, contingent decision calculus, as states continually gauge how their actions within the regime will affect trade, regional standing, and other interests vital to any nation. The first four essays take theoretical approaches to such topics as a framework for understanding challenges to collective action; clandestine proliferation under the Bush and Obama administrations and its impact on regime legitimacy; threat construction as a lens through which to view resistance to nonproliferation measures; and the debate over the relationship between nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. Essays comprising the second part of the book use regional and state-specific case studies to look at how U.S. security guarantees affect the willingness of states to support the regime; question the perceived spoiler role of a vocal minority within the Non-Aligned Movement; challenge notions that Russia is using the regime to build a coalition hostile to the United States; contrast nonproliferation strategies among Latin American countries; and explain the lag in adoption of an Additional Protocol by some Middle East and North African countries. Getting countries to co-operate on nonproliferation efforts is an ongoing challenge. These essays show that success must be measured not only by how many states join the effort but also by how they participate once they join.

Optimized antimicrobial dosing strategies: a survey of pediatric hospitals.

Extended-interval aminoglycoside (EIAG) and extended- and continuous-infusion β-lactam (EIBL and CIBL) dosing strategies are increasingly used in adults, but pediatric literature is limited. The objective of this study was to describe the use of EIAG, EIBL, and CIBL dosing in pediatric hospitals in the USA. A national survey of children's hospitals was conducted. A single practitioner from each target hospital was identified through the Children's Hospital Association. Practice-based survey questions identified whether hospitals utilize EIAG, EIBL, and CIBL dosing. The main outcome measure was the percentage utilization of the dosing strategies, with secondary outcomes being the reasons for not using these dosing strategies. Seventy-seven of 215 identified practitioners (36 %) participated in the survey. EIAG, EIBL, and CIBL dosing were utilized in 63 %, 24 %, and 13 % of responding hospitals, respectively. The most common reasons for not using EIAG were concern regarding lack of efficacy data (56 %) and concern regarding the duration of the drug-free period (41 %). Respondents who did not utilize EIBL cited concern due to lack of pediatric EIBL efficacy data (54 %), the need for more intravenous access (54 %), intravenous medication compatibility issues (39 %), and the time during which the patient is attached to an intravenous infusion (31 %). This survey of children's hospitals indicates that EIAG is used in over 50 % of hospitals, but there is some lag in adoption of EIBL and CIBL dosing, both of which are used in fewer than 25 % of hospitals. Additional studies may provide much-needed evidence to increase the utilization of these strategies.

OR06-4 * READINESS AND BARRIERS TO ADOPT EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT IN MEXICO

Objective. Evidence shows that worldwide there's a lag in adoption of evidence-based practices (EBPs). In Mexico, under-utilization of EBPs for substance abuse represents a longstanding problem. This study aimed to determine readiness/barriers to adopt EBPs for substance abuse in treatment centers of a newly created Mexican Clinical Trials Network. Methods. An online survey was administered to directors (n = 8) and clinicians (n = 40) from 7 treatment centers in Mexico. Questions were obtained from two surveys that had been implemented in the US to assess same objectives. Results. All directors expressed interest in using standardized measures; however 25% haven't started implemented them. DSM-V/CIE-10 is used by 70% of directors and 55% of clinicians in their practice. Sixty percent of directors believe that not having enough/trained personal is the biggest barrier to adopt EBPs. Only 15% of directors consider resistance from personnel a barrier to implementing EBPs. When evaluating attitudes and perceptions towards EBPs directors had lower mean resistance (11.875 vs. 17.475) with a p value of 0.0104, than clinicians. Conclusion. Training in EBPs for substance use treatment is one of the areas of opportunity to address existing barriers to adoption. Staff positive attitudes towards EBPs are critical for adoption.

Educational differences in cigarette smoking among adult population in Estonia, 1990-2010: does the trend fit the model of tobacco epidemic?

BackgroundIn developed countries, smoking spreads through society like an epidemic in which adults from higher socioeconomic groups are the first to adopt and earlier to quit smoking, and in which exists a lag in adoption of smoking between men and women.The objective of this study was to describe trends in daily and occasional smoking, to investigate association between smoking status and education, and to examine if the associations in 1990–2010 in Estonia fit the pattern predicted by the model of tobacco epidemic.MethodsThe study was based on a 20–64-year-old subsample (n = 18740) of nationally representative postal cross-sectional surveys conducted every second year in Estonia during 1990–2010. Cigarette smoking and education were examined. χ2 test for trend was used to determine daily and occasional smoking trends over study years. Multinomial logistic regression model was used to test educational differences in daily and occasional smoking for every study year. Adjusted relative risk ratios (RRRs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.ResultsIn 1990–2010, daily smoking varied largely between genders showing decreasing trend among men, but not among women. In 2010, one third of men and one fifth of women were daily smokers. Daily smoking was not clearly associated with education among men in 1990–1994 and among women in 1990–2000. Men revealed inverse relationship between daily smoking and education since 1996, but women since 2002. In 2010, compared to men and women with higher education, relative risk ratio of daily smoking was 2.92 (95% CI = 2.01–4.25) among men and 2.29 (95% CI = 1.65–3.17) among women with secondary education, but 4.98 (95% CI 3.12–7.94) among men and 6.62 (95% CI = 4.07–10.76) among women with basic education.In 1990–2010, occasional smoking was stable and similar (varying between 7–10%) among men and women, no association with education was found.ConclusionsDaily smoking patterns in Estonia fit the model of tobacco epidemic in developed countries. Educational differences in daily smoking highlight the importance of addressing smoking behaviour in the general population by educational subgroups in Estonia.

First use of intravenous artesunate in Liberia and effect on patient mortality relative to artemeter and quinine: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Intravenous artesunate reduces mortality by 35% relative to intravenous quinine. In 2010, WHO changed guidelines favouring intravenous artesunate, yet wide-scale adoption lags. In April, 2012, the Clinton Foundation with the Liberian Health Ministry brought intravenous artesunate into Liberia's busiest paediatric centres, Redemption and JDJ. The Foundation reached out to the International Rescue Committee, a non-governmental organisation that supported the hospitals, to implement the change. Methods We created a JDJ decision support instrument to guide and document proper intravenous artesunate administration. 4 months later, in July–October, 2012, we determined the proportion of children aged 1–16 years who were admitted for malaria with a positive rapid diagnostic test or malaria smear, the proportion who received intravenous artesunate, and the proportion who died. We compared these findings with the same period 1 year earlier when artesunate was not available. Findings From July to October, 2011, 707 patients were admitted to JDJ for malaria with 67 deaths, giving a mortality rate of 0·0950. 1 year later, 811 patients were admitted with 48 deaths, giving a mortality rate of 0·059—a decrease risk of 0·6455 (95% CI 0·4514–0·9231, p=0·0155). In 2011, no patients received intravenous artesunate, 650 (92%) intramuscular artemether, and 21 (3%) intavenous quinine. 1 year later, 632 (78%) of malaria patients received intravenous artesunate and 178 (22%) intramuscular artemether. Interpretation We show how malaria treatment can be changed quickly and effectively towards contemporary care standards. Our findings support the probable benefit of intravenous artesunate in Liberia and the need for the Ministry of Health to ensure artesunate supply and provider friendly treatment guidelines. Funding None.

Child passenger safety laws in the United States, 1978–2010: Policy diffusion in the absence of strong federal intervention

This article examines the diffusion of U.S. state child passenger safety laws, analyzing over-time changes and inter-state differences in all identifiable features of laws that plausibly influence crash-related morbidity and mortality. The observed trend shows many states' continuing efforts to update their laws to be consistent with latest motor vehicle safety recommendations, with each state modifying their laws on average 6 times over the 30-year period. However, there has been a considerable time lag in knowledge diffusion and policy adoption. Even though empirical evidence supporting the protective effect of child restraint devices was available in the early 1970s, laws requiring their use were not adopted by all 50 states until 1986. For laws requiring minors to be seated in rear seats, the first state law adoption did not occur until two decades after the evidence became publicly available. As of 2010, only 12 states explicitly required the use of booster seats, 9 for infant seats and 6 for toddler seats. There is also great variation among states in defining the child population to be covered by the laws, the vehicle operators subject to compliance, and the penalties resulting from non-compliance. Some states cover only up to 4-year-olds while others cover children up to age 17. As of 2010, states have as many as 14 exemptions, such as those for non-residents, non-parents, commercial vehicles, large vehicles, or vehicles without seatbelts. Factors such as the complexity of the state of the science, the changing nature of guidelines (from age to height/weight-related criteria), and the absence of coordinated federal actions are potential explanations for the observed patterns. The resulting uneven policy landscape among states suggests a strong need for improved communication among state legislators, public health researchers, advocates and concerned citizen groups to promote more efficient and effective policymaking.

The Coriell personalized medicine collaborative pharmacogenomics appraisal, evidence scoring and interpretation system

Implementation of pharmacogenomics (PGx) in clinical care can lead to improved drug efficacy and reduced adverse drug reactions. However, there has been a lag in adoption of PGx tests in clinical practice. This is due in part to a paucity of rigorous systems for translating published clinical and scientific data into standardized diagnostic tests with clear therapeutic recommendations. Here we describe the Pharmacogenomics Appraisal, Evidence Scoring and Interpretation System (PhAESIS), developed as part of the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative research study, and its application to seven commonly prescribed drugs.

Rural and urban disparities in the evolution of sentinel lymph node utilization in breast cancer.

71 Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has become the preferred method for axillary nodal staging. We examined SLNB utilization in urban versus rural settings as this procedure was adopted. We hypothesized that SLNB rates in urban centers quickly increased prior to 2000, while the technology shift and acceptance of SLNB was slower in rural centers. Methods: The SEER registry was used to identify patients with invasive ductal or lobular breast cancer from 1998-2008. Exclusion criteria included evidence of distant metastatic disease, T4 tumors, no curative-intent operation performed, or incomplete staging data. Residential setting was divided into three groups based on population density: rural, intermediate population, and urban. Results: The overall rate of SLNB increased with time (9.5% in 1998 to 72.7% in 2008). The adoption of SLNB was slower in rural settings than in urban populations (p<0.001). By 2003, only urban areas were utilizing SLNB in over 50% of cases. When stratified by population density, there was a significant difference in SLNB rates according to type of surgery performed (lumpectomy vs mastectomy) as well as by T-stage, with lower T-stage positively correlating with the likelihood of SLNB usage in all categories. Overall, there was a two-year lag in the adoption of between the increases in SLNB utilization rates in these groups. Conclusions: Since 1998, the use of SLNB for breast cancer has slowly increased throughout the United States. Though widely accepted as the preferred staging method, the overall rate of SLNB remained near 50% and was lower in rural locations in 2004. By 2008, the SLNB rate for T1-T2 had increased to over 50% in all population categories. There was an overall 2-year lag in adoption of SLNB in less populated areas. While this may represent a more conservative approach as noted by the higher utilization in small tumors, the difference may be attributable to a shortage of experienced surgeons, lack of training, or lack of technological support at smaller institutions. The provision of continued training in emerging technologies for rural surgeons, such as SLNB, should remain a priority in continuing surgical education.

Environmental protection, public finance requirements and the timing of emission reductions

AbstractThe effects of four environmental policy options for the reduction of pollution emissions, i.e. taxes, emission standards, auctioned permits and freely allocated permits, are analyzed. The setup is a real option model where the amount of emissions is determined by solving the firm's profit maximization problem under each policy instrument. The regulator solves an optimal stopping problem in order to find the critical threshold for policy adoptions taking into account revenues from taxes and auctioned permits and government spending. In this framework we find the ranking of the alternative policy options in terms of their adoption lag and social welfare. We show that when the output demand is elastic, emission standards are preferred to freely allocated permits. Taxes and auctioned permits are always equivalent in terms of their adoption lag and social welfare, and also equivalent to emission standards when the regulator redistributes revenues.

New Adaptation Linkages

Web technology is transforming all businesses into information-based activities and the rate of technological change is so high that emerging electronic commerce is already making fundamental changes in the economic landscape, affecting every aspect of how business is and will be conducted. There is substantial evidence to suggest that e-banking is being embraced by financial institutions in developed and emerging markets to the extent that explosive growth is almost at hand. This paper explores the adoption linkages in customer perceptions, preferences, and barriers to the adoption of banking technology in Kenya. The data for this study has been collected from bank customers in using well structured and pre-tested questionnaires. The result indicated that necessity perception is positive and ATM, Mobile and Internet banking were mostly preferred compared to others whilst negative linkage was observed between barriers and adoption as Security, bank lag in adoption and unawareness were identified as the most reported barriers to adoption. It means that positive link enable adoption while negative link distract adoption. The findings implicate banks and other financial institutions to increase the campaigns which may develop positive customer perceptions and preferences at the same time look for alternatives of reducing the possible barriers posing the banking technology.

Environmental policies, public abatement spending and the timing of emission reductions

Four environmental policy options for the reduction of pollution emissions, i.e. taxes, emission standards, auctioned permits and freely allocated permits, are analyzed in a real option model. The amount of emissions is determined by solving the firm's profit maximization problem under each policy instrument. The regulator solves an optimal stopping problem in order to find the critical threshold for policy adoptions taking into account revenues from taxes and auctioned permits and government abatement spending. We find that standards are preferred to freely allocated permits if the output demand is elastic. Taxes and auctioned permits are equivalent in terms of their adoption lag and social welfare; however, through simulations, we show that these are less preferred than emission standards and freely allocated permits.

Discussion

Discussion

Investment in vintage capital

Abstract We study an economy in which firms use labor and various vintages of capital in a CES production function for the final good. We explicitly solve for the investment in capital of a given vintage as a function of its age, and for the resulting stocks of capital. We show that for reasonable parameter values, inverted-U-shaped dynamics of investment and S-shaped dynamics for capital arise in equilibrium. We view the model as an explanation of intra-firm adoption lags, i.e., the observation that firms adopt innovations over time and not instantaneously.

Factors Affecting Adoption of Recommended Management Practices in Stocker Cattle Production

Binary logit regression models were used to estimate factors affecting adoption of recommended management practices. Variables analyzed include aspects of farm structure, human capital, farm objectives, and production system employed by the producer. Results reveal that operation size and dependency upon income from the stocker operation, in particular, influence the adoption of recommended practices. Older producers and those pursuing a year-round production strategy were found to lag in adoption.

Aging and Information Technology Use

Why are older adults reluctant to adopt new technology, such as the Internet, given its potential to improve the quality of their lives? We review evidence indicating that attitudes and abilities are among the most powerful predictors of technology use. We conclude that normative age-related changes in ability must be taken into account when designing products and training programs for aging adults, and we discuss new tools to support designers. The most promising emerging technologies likely lie in training cognitive abilities and augmenting or substituting for impaired abilities. We discuss reasons to expect that the lag in technology adoption between younger and older adults may lessen but will not disappear in future generations.

As Adoption Lags, Govt. Steps Up Electronic Medical Records Push

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Government NewsFull AccessAs Adoption Lags, Govt. Steps Up Electronic Medical Records PushMark MoranMark MoranSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:4 Jul 2008https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.43.13.0008aThe federal government has issued a strategic plan for the next four years designed to speed the adoption of health information technology to meet President Bush's goal of widespread national adoption by 2014.The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's report, titled “ONC-Coordinated Federal Health Information Strategic Plan, 2008-2012,” describes broad goals, objectives, and specific strategies and timelines for implementing those strategies.The plan is a sweeping blueprint for coordinating government agencies to help promote adoption of health information technology. It comes four years after Bush established a 10-year goal of achieving a national health information network. Since that time, however, physicians have been slow to adopt electronic medical records, and some leaders in the field have urged that the government take a more active role in promoting the effort (Psychiatric News, April 18).The plan outlines two broad goals: patient-focused health care and population health.Patient-focused health care is described as “the transformation to higher quality, more cost-efficient, patient-focused health care through electronic health information access and use by care providers and by patients and their designees.” Population health is described as “the appropriate, authorized, and timely access and use of electronic health information to benefit public health, biomedical research, quality improvement, and emergency preparedness.”Each goal has objectives, and for each objective specific strategies are given, as well as timelines for implementation.In a letter accompanying the strategic plan, psychiatrist Robert Kolodner, M.D., who is the national coordinator, described the vision of a national health information system and the urgency required to make it happen.“Clinicians will have at their fingertips all of the information needed to provide the best care; individuals will have access to this and other information that can help them engage and insert their values in the decision-making process about their health and care; and secure and authorized access to health data will provide new ways that biomedical research and public health can improve individual health and the health of communities and the nation,” Kolodner wrote. “... In order to reach the goal of most Americans having access to [electronic health records] by 2014, adoption of interoperable health [information technology] systems needs to remain at the forefront of national priorities.”“ONC-Coordinated Federal Health Information Strategic Plan, 2008-2012” is posted at<www.hhs.gov/healthit/resources/HITStrategicPlan.pdf>.▪ ISSUES NewArchived

Biohydrometallurgy for sustainable development in the African minerals industry

Biohydrometallurgy is no longer a promising technology but is now an established economical alternative for treating specific mineral ores. It occupies an increasingly important place among the available mining technologies. A significant number of the current large-scale bioprocessing operations are located in developing countries. The popularity of this technology in most developing countries is largely due to low capital cost requirements and its simplicity in operation. The African continent, with South Africa in particular, pioneered and currently houses institutes that count among the top researchers in further development of the biohydrometallurgical technology. However, despite its abundant mineral reserves and deposits, Africa is still much behind in the commercialization process. This paper looks at possible reasons behind the lag in adoption of this technology in the African continent. It further considers the influencing factors for the adoption and effective application of biohydrometallurgy for the sustainable development of the African minerals industry.

Discriminant analyses of field sales force adoption of wireless technologies

Although mobile computing offers the field salesperson distinct dvantages, adoption lags. This study examined differences in sales organisations. We found distinctive differences between non-adopters, adopters and innovators. Adopters tend to be more customer-driven relying on smaller well supported sales forces. Field sales forces yet to adopt are less likely to value customer-driven strategies. IT vendors can target new markets by identifying these strategic differences. Management of firms that have not yet adopted and are not sufficiently customer-driven may be exposing themselves to competitive vulnerabilities.

ICT and OTs: A model of information and communication technology acceptance and utilisation by occupational therapists

There is evidence to suggest that health professionals are reluctant to accept and utilise information and communication technologies (ICT) and concern is growing within health informatics research that this is contributing to the lag in adoption and utilisation of ICT across the health sector. Technology acceptance research within the field of information systems has been limited in its application to health and there is a concurrent need to develop and gain empirical support for models of technology acceptance within health and to examine acceptance and utilisation issues amongst health professionals to improve the success of information system implementation in this arena. This paper outlines a project that examines ICT acceptance and utilisation by Australian occupational therapists. It describes the theoretical basis behind the development of a research model and the methodology being employed to empirically validate the model using substantial quantitative, qualitative and longitudinal data. Preliminary results from Phase II of the study are presented. The theoretical significance of this work is that it uses a thoroughly constructed research model, with potentially the largest sample size ever tested, to extend technology acceptance research into the health sector.