Diffusing sustainability: Towards a framework for adopting sustainable procurement

Rogers (2003) presented a Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) framework which has been used to examine the factors influencing the rate of adoption of various types of innovations in a wide variety of organisational contexts. However, this has had limited application in sustainability studies. The results of a survey of Australian organisations indicate that items related to corporate attitudes and values, under Rogers category of compatibility, were more strongly predictive of the level of adoption of sustainable procurement. Compared to previous findings in other disciplines and settings, the results of this study suggest that greater consideration should be given to issues addressing existing culture for the successful implementation of sustainability programs in organisations

A call for Return to Rogers’ Innovation Diffusion Theory

This paper argues that Rogers’ Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) isthe original theory for guiding research on innovation diffusion and/ or adoption, from which the more recent theories have been derived. Hence, the paper suggests a framework based on the IDT, and derives 14 hypotheses for future research, basing on a review of recent literature. The framework divides the correlates of diffusion and/ or adoption of  innovations into three categories: individual adopter characteristics,  perceived innovation characteristics and social system or organizational characteristics. In terms of individual adopter characteristics, it is   hypothesized that interaction with change agents, training and  cosmopolitanism positively relate to the adoption of innovations, while age  and income are negatively and positively related to the adoption of innovations respectively. Gender is related to the adoption of innovations in a way that males are more apt. Regarding perceived innovation  characteristics, the perceived relative advantage, compatibility, user friendliness and ‘observability’ are postulated to be positively related to the adoption of innovations. On organizational characteristics, it is postulated that each of organizational readiness for change, culture, size and leader’s change management style is positively related to the adoption of  innovations. Gaps in the studies reviewed are highlighted.Keywords: Innovation Diffusion Theory; Everett Rogers; Adoption

Rethinking the Characteristics of IS/IT Innovations:Rhetorics and Managerial Perspective

The innovation is an important concept in organizational studies of information systems (IS) and information technologies (IT). In particular, it plays a central role in research on IS/IT adoption and diffusion (Fichman, 1992; Swanson, 1994). This work draws on a long tradition of research on the diffusion of innovations (Rogers, 1983; Zaltman et al., 1973). Central to this tradition is the straightforward notion that (1) prospective adopters evaluate innovations in making their adoption decisions, and (2) those evaluations can be said to focus on particular characteristics of innovations that are made salient by the practical challenges adopters face. Scholars have offered numerous characteristics for consideration, in the context of studies addressing many different kinds of innovations (Tornatzky & Klein, 1982). On the whole, these characteristics pertain primarily to individual adopters (Rogers, 1983) and have consequently found their main use, in IS/IT research, in diffusion studies focused on end users (e.g., Moore & Benbasat, 1991; Ramiller, 1994; Wynekoop, 1992). However, where the research focus shifts to adoption decisions at the organizational level, the pertinent challenges change and therefore so, too, do the salient characteristics of IS/IT innovations. But, what are these characteristics? On the whole, the research literature addressing this question is thin. The research-in-progress that is the subject of this report addresses this lacuna

The Role of Implementation Leadership in Driving Organizational Innovation – Revisiting a Classic

In this article, we discuss the importance of leadership when implementing innovations. A particular focus point is the seminal work by Everett Rogers on the spread and upkeep of new ideas. Furthermore, we examine current scientific works on implementation leadership in relation to initiating and maintaining health enhancing physical activity programs. Among other things, we point out how many people and groups are sympathetic towards new innovations if they meet a recognized need, contribute to relevant developments, make sense in concrete situations, and can be mastered individually and collectively. Implementation leaders need to ensure that premises such as these are met while taking into account that innovations are absorbed at different speeds and ways by different stakeholders. Rogers\u27 five adopter categories can be used by implementation leaders to develop effective change communication that is meaningful to differentiated groups. First-line leaders can, for instance, use their dense knowledge of the organization\u27s needs and circumstances to support staff and manage stakeholders during the implementation process. Delegating substantial implementation responsibility to early adopters can also prove beneficial in keeping the process on track

The Day after Adoption: Managerial Innovation Abandonment and Recycling

Managerial innovations have the peculiarity of being abandoned after adoption, a possibility that makes them interesting from a theoretical viewpoint. Traditional theories of diffusion and adoption of innovations have described these processes without considering the cycles of updates these innovations go through with relevant increments. They neglect, this way, the empirical reality that organizations abandon obsolete practices in exchange for incremental improvements on the adopted innovation. Several management practices, such as COBIT, are part of this managerial innovation set. A model was developed to understand and explain the diffusion, adoption and abandonment of managerial innovations by using an improved version of the innovation adoption curves proposed by Rogers (2003), accounting for the diffusion process phenomena here highlighted

Examining consumer acceptance of green innovations using innovation characteristics: A conceptual approach

In the wake of global warming and environmental preservation, all processes and actions are now being directed along the lines of creating a greener environment. Household solar equipments are one such initiative, whereby people around the world are being encouraged to adopt green innovations even within homes. Recent emphasis is particularly along the usage of solar energy for home lighting, heating and cooking. To achieve increased adoption of these green innovations, it is important to understand the behaviours of various factors that may influence consumers in forming favourable intentions towards such innovations. This article aims to develop a theory-based conceptual framework for examining user adoption of household solar innovations. Attributes from Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations theory, Tornatzky and Klein’s Meta-Analysis, and Moore and Benbasat’s Perceived Characteristics of Innovating theory will be used to design the intended framework for examining the adoption of household solar and other green innovations

Measuring the perceived attributes of innovation: A study of capacitive switch technology in industrially designed user interface controls

The purpose of this research was to test the applicability of Rogers’ theory of innovation diffusion as it relates to measuring the perceived attributes of innovations of capacitive switch technology in user interface controls. This study used a Likert scale to collect data on the following perceived attributes of innovation including relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, demonstrability, visibility, ease of use, image, voluntariness, perceived risk, and perceived resources as outlined by Rogers (1995), Moore and Benbasat (1991), and Dupagne and Driscoll (2005). Results indicated whether a consumer is willing to accept capacitive switch innovation in industrially designed user interface controls

Adopting New Zealand Dairy Farm Principles and Practices in Argentina

The dairy sector is important to Argentina because it creates genuine wealth and employment. Milk production at competitive costs is crucial for the endurance of the Argentine dairy sector; therefore the development of competitive dairy farm systems is important for Argentina. New Zealand (hereafter NZ) dairy farm systems are internationally known for their competitiveness without the presence of subsidies. Though Argentine dairy farmers have been attracted to NZ systems for more than 40 years and despite the fact that the NZ knowledge appears to be beneficial to Argentine farms, NZ practices have been rarely adopted. This seemingly fruitless effort in extending this technology shapes the research question of the present study: Can Argentine dairy farmers benefit from adopting New Zealand dairy farm principles and practices? Seven Argentine dairy farmers were selected as case studies because of their awareness of NZ dairy systems; the research data was collected through interviews, farm physical and economic records, and field visits to the farms. Two frameworks were utilized to analyse the qualitative and quantitative data: the Diffusion Theory (Rogers, 2003) and the IFCN network (International Farm Comparison Network www.ifcnnetwork.org), respectively. Ten NZ innovations were defined; they were principles and practices considered typical in NZ dairy farms and not common in Argentine dairy farms. The innovations were related to four areas of the dairy system: pasture management, herd management & genetics, farm structure & organization, and human resources. The seven farmers selected differed in the level of adoption or rejection of the innovations. Results revealed that higher levels of adoption of NZ innovations by a group of Argentine dairy farms were associated with higher levels of Return on Investment; this was mainly due to a higher utilization of the main asset and most limiting production factor of Argentine and New Zealand dairy farms, the land.Argentine dairy farm systems, New Zealand innovations for Argentina, Argentine dairy industry, Argentine dairy systems, diffusion of innovations, adoption of innovations, Livestock Production/Industries,

Applying Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory to Investigate Technology Training for Secondary Mathematics Teachers in Kenya

This current study examined the extent technology training influence secondary mathematics teachers’ decisions to adopt or not to adopt technology in the classroom practice from Nairobi and Nyandarua counties in the Republic of Kenya. The study applied the case study research design and the Rogers’ (2003) diffusions of innovations theory to investigate the research problem. The study found that mathematics teachers have not received adequate technology training relevant for mathematics teaching because of technologically unskilled trainers, lack technology software related to mathematics teaching, and teachers are not motivated to attend training for lack of incentives. The study suggests radical changes be undertaken on how training of mathematics teachers by the Center for Mathematics Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) and the National ICT innovation and Integration Centre (NI3C) and the teacher training programs at the public universities and colleges. The study also recommends that further research is needed to understand technology training for mathematics teachers in Kenya. Keywords: Kenya, technology adoption, Rogers’ theory, diffusion of innovations, mathematic