Educational Resources
The Innovation Diffusion Lab's main research focus is to study the communication-based spread of new ideas, behaviors, and technologies through social systems all from the perspective of the diffusion of innovations theory. One of our goals is to educate others about the importance of diffusion of innovations research, and below you will find a variety of educational resources and information about the theory's origin, development, and framework.
The Creator of Diffusion Theory
Everett Rogers is a communications theorist and sociologist who created the diffusion of innovations theory and wrote a book about his theoretical discoveries in 1962 entitled, Diffusion of Innovations. To learn more about Roger's development and implementation of this theory, click on the button below to watch a video of Everett Rogers discussing the diffusion of innovations theory in a presentation at the University of Illinois in 2004.
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The Adoption Curve
An aspect of the diffusion of innovations theory that was developed by Rogers is the adoption curve which is an S-shaped curve that classifies the different types of adopters based on their timing of adoption. The different categories of individuals who adopt new innovations include the following: Innovators, Early Adopters, Early Majority, Late Majority, and Laggards. Click on the button below to learn more about the different adopter categories.
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Adopting Sustainable Innovations
When individuals adopt new innovations at different speeds, there are different motivational categories individuals have that cause them to adopt the new ideas. The different motivational categories to adopt new sustainable innovations include instrumental, environmental, and symbolic motivators. To learn more about the differences between each of the motivational categories, click on the button below.
Team Member Presentations
Presentations
Additional Video Resources
The videos below were created by the OCT Group at Chapman University which later became the Innovation Diffusion Lab. The videos provide more information about the diffusion of innovations theory.
Diffusion of Innovations
Diffusion of Innovations
Networks for Diffusion
Diffusion of Innovations
Introduction to Diffusion and Entrepreneurial Innovations
Additional Article Resources
Applying the communication theory of Diffusion of Innovations to economic sciences: a response to the ‘Using gossips to spread information’ experiments conducted by the 2019 Nobel Laureates
Kim, K. D. D., Kee, K. F., & Dearing, J. (2020, January 12). Applying the communication theory of Diffusion of Innovations to economic sciences: a response to the ‘Using gossips to spread information’ experiments conducted by the 2019 Nobel Laureates. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 48(2), 157-165. https://doi-org.lib-e2.lib.ttu.edu/10.1080/00909882.2020.1734226
A conceptual framework of the adoption of innovations in organizations: a meta-analytical review of the literature
Vagnani, G., Gatti, C., & Proietti, L. (2019). A conceptual framework of the adoption of innovations in organizations: a meta-analytical review of the literature. Journal of Management and Governance, 23. 1023-1062. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10997-019-09452-6
Revisiting Rogers: the diffusion of his innovation development process as a normative framework for innovation managers, students and scholars
Beausoleil, A. M. (2018). Revisiting Rogers: the diffusion of his innovation development process as a normative framework for innovation managers, students and scholars. Journal of Innovation Management, 6(4). 73-97. https://doi.org/10.24840/2183-0606_006.004_0006
Internet diffusion and regime type: Temporal patterns in technology adoption.
Stier, S. (2017). Internet diffusion and regime type: Temporal patterns in technology adoption. Telecommunications Policy, 41(1), 25-38.
Twitter’s diffusion in sports journalism: Role models, laggards and followers of the social media innovation
English, P. (2016). Twitter’s diffusion in sports journalism: Role models, laggards and followers of the social media innovation. New Media and Society, 18(3). 484-501. https://doi-org.lib-e2.lib.ttu.edu/10.1177%2F1461444814544886
Mothers “Google It Up:” Extending Communication Channel Behavior in Diffusion of Innovations Theory
Sundstrom, B. (2016). Mothers “Google It Up:” Extending Communication Channel Behavior in Diffusion of Innovations Theory. Health Communication, 31(1). https://doi-org.lib-e2.lib.ttu.edu/10.1080/10410236.2014.936339
Information diffusion, Facebook clusters, and the simplicial model of social aggregation: a computational simulation of simplicial diffusers for community health interventions
Kee, K. F., Sparks, L., Struppa, D. C., Mannucci, M. A., & Damiano, A. (2016). Information diffusion, Facebook clusters, and the simplicial model of social aggregation: a computational simulation of simplicial diffusers for community health interventions. Health Communication, 31(4). https://doi-org.lib-e2.lib.ttu.edu/10.1080/10410236.2014.960061
Diffusion Theory in the New Media Environment: Toward an Integrated Technology Adoption Model
Atkin, D., Hunt, D. S., & Lin, C.A. (August 2015). Diffusion Theory in the New Media Environment: Toward an Integrated Technology Adoption Model. Mass Communication and Society, 18(5). 625-650. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2015.1066014
The adoption of sustainable innovations: The role of instrumental, environmental, and symbolic attirubutes for earlier and later adopters
Noppers, E. N., Keizer, K., Bockarjova, M., & Steg, L. (December 2015). The adoption of sustainable innovations: The role of instrumental, environmental, and symbolic attributes for earlier and later adopters. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 44. 74-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2015.09.002
Using diffusion of innovation theory to understand the factors impacting patient acceptance and use of consumer e-health innovations: A case study in primary care clinic
Zhang, X., Yu, P., Yan, J., & Spil, T. A. M. (2015). Using diffusion of innovation theory to understand the factors impacting patient acceptance and use of consumer e-health innovations: A case study in primary care clinic. BMC Health Services Research, 15(71). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0726-2
Understanding news sharing in social media: An explanation from the diffusion of innovations theory
Ma, L., Lee, C. S., & Goh, D. H. (7 July 2014). Understanding news sharing in social media: An explanation from the diffusion of innovations theory. Online Information Review, 38(5). 598-615. Doi: 10.1108/OIR-10-2013-0239
A conceptual model for the process of IT innovation adoption in organizations
Hameed, M. A., Counsell, S., & Swift, S. (September 2012). A conceptual model for the process of IT innovation adoption in organizations. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 29(3). 358-390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jengtecman.2012.03.007
Social capital and the diffusion of innovations within organizations: The case of computer technology in schools
Frank, K. A., Zhao, K., & Borman, K. (April 2004). Social capital and the diffusion of innovations within organizations: The case of computer technology in schools. Sociology of Education, 77. 148-171. Doi: 10.1177/00380407700203
Measuring perceptions of innovation adoption: The diffusion of a federal drug prevention policy
Pankratz, M., Hallfors, D., & Cho, H. (June 2002). Measuring perceptions of innovation adoption: The diffusion of a federal drug prevention policy. Health Education Research, 17(3). 315-326. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/17.3.315
Development of an instrument to measure the perceptions of adopting and information technology innovation
Moore, G. C. & Benbasat, I. (September 1991). Development of an instrument to measure the perceptions of adopting and information technology innovation. Information Systems Research, 2(3). 173-239. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2.3.192