Diffusion of virtual innovation

Abstract

Drawing on Rogers' diffusion of innovations theory, specifically his innovation decision process model, this paper develops a research framework that identifies the accelerators and inhibitors of virtualworld technology adoption. Categorized by level of analysis, specific factors influencing the adoption of virtual world technology by organizations are identified. At the individual level of analysis, factors such as the technology's ease of use and usefulness, as well as the individual's computer selfefficacy, trust, and enjoyment are discussed in terms of their "bottom-up" influence on technology diffusion. At the group level of analysis, different forms of group efficacy (such as computer collective efficacy and virtual team efficacy) are suggested to play a role in virtual world technology adoption and diffusion. Further, group-level technology acceptance factors (including a priori beliefs and attitudes toward the technology, as well as psychosocial variables) are proposed to influence a group's overall valence toward the technology, driving the adoption of the technology Finally, at the organizational level of analysis, technical compatibility, technical complexity, and relative advantage are explored as major factors influencing an organization's willingness to adopt virtual world technology through "top-down" diffusion that follows specific isomorphic processes. Finally, the role of organizational culture is also discussed. Through the identification and discussion of innovation diffusion factors which occur at different levels of analysis and at different stages of the innovation decision process, this study provides a framework for studying the adoption, spread, and continual use of virtual world technology.

Adoption of an Internet‐based patient education programme in psychiatric hospitals

“…2007), education (Ortega Egea et al . 2007), computer skills, computer access, attitude towards computer use (Sahin & Thompson 2006), attitude towards the technology (Fuller et al . 2007) and male gender (Cheng et al .…”

“…Nurses' background variables were selected to describe categories based on Rogers' (2003) model, obtained from the literature (Cheng et al . 2004, Fuller et al . 2007, Ortega Egea et al .…”

“…2007). Various factors associated with IT use have been identified, among them usability of technology, compatibility or complexity and relative advantage (Fuller et al . 2007).…”

“…This paper is based on Rogers' model for the adoption and diffusion of innovations (Rogers 2003). This model was suitable for us because it focuses on individuals and in the programme, individual nurses educated individual patients on the wards based on individualized patient care (Sahin & Thompson 2006, Fuller et al . 2007, Ortega Egea et al .…”

Group informatics: A methodological approach and ontology for sociotechnical group research

“…First, the groups that form in these asynchronous environments are referred to as small, naturally asynchronous groups (SNAGs) to distinguish them from previous conceptualizations of physical groups, such as distributed teams, virtual organizations, distance work, and computer‐supported cooperative work, broadly defined. The term SNAG reflects the unmet challenge of integrating qualitative and quantitative modeling to understand how interaction, leadership, and social structure are represented in electronic trace data (Ahuja & Carley, ; Bansler & Havn, ; Blay‐Fornario, Pinna‐Dery, Schmidt, & Zarate, ; Bos, Shami, Olson, Cheshin, & Nan, ; Chudoba, Wynn, Lu, & Watson‐Manheim, ; Convertino, Moran, & Smith, ; Edwards, ; Ehrlich & Cash, ; Fuller, Hardin, & Davison, ; Gutwin & Greenberg, ; Gutwin, Penner, & Schneider, ; Harrison & Tatar, ; Hinds & McGrath, ; Leinonen, Jarvela, & Hakkinen, ; Liu, Laffey, & Cox, ; Mascaro & Goggins, ; Nardi & Harris, ; Nardi, Whittaker, & Schwarz, ; Neale et al., ; Neale, Carroll, & Rosson, ; Ocker & Fjermestad, ; Olson & Olson, ; Olson et al., ; Olson, Herbsleb, & Rueter, ; Olson, Malone, & Smith, ; Olson, Olson, & Venolia, ; Olson, Olson, Storrosten, & Carter, ; Powell, Piccoli, & Ives, ; Schmidt & Wagner, ; Sonnenwald, Lassi, Olson, Ponti, & Axelsson, ; Star & Strauss, ; Teasley et al., ; Turner et al., ; Twidale & Nichols, ; Whittaker, ; Carroll, Neale, Isenhour, Rosson, & McCrickard, ; Crabtree, O'Neill, Tolmie, Colmbino, & Grasso, ; Crowston & Howison, ; Fuller, Hardin, & Scott, ; Grudin, ; Lampe, Ellison, & Steinfield, ; Roberts, Lowry, & Sweeney, ; Saunders & Ahuja, ).…”