According to a simple definition from Wikipedia, Diffusion of innovations is a theory that seeks to explain how, why, and at what rate new ideas and technology spread. Basically, why certain innovations do well with both use and production.
The proposer of this theory, Rodgers has reasons to believe why this is effective. Rogers proposes that four main elements influence the spread of a new idea: the innovation itself, communication, communication channels, time, and a social system. This process relies heavily on human capital.
Below is a table to further explain this concept:
| Element | Definition |
|---|---|
| Innovation | Innovation is a broad category, relative to the current knowledge of the analyzed unit. Any idea, practice, or object that is perceived as new by an individual or other unit of adoption could be considered an innovation available for study.[14] |
| Adopters | Adopters are the minimal unit of analysis. In most studies, adopters are individuals, but can also be organizations (businesses, schools, hospitals, etc.), clusters within social networks, or countries.[15] |
| Communication channels | Diffusion, by definition, takes place among people or organizations. Communication channels allow the transfer of information from one unit to the other.[16] Communication patterns or capabilities must be established between parties as a minimum for diffusion to occur.[17] |
| Time | The passage of time is necessary for innovations to be adopted; they are rarely adopted instantaneously. In fact, in the Ryan and Gross (1943) study on hybrid corn adoption, adoption occurred over more than ten years, and most farmers only dedicated a fraction on their fields to the new corn in the first years after adoption.[5][18] |
| Social system | The social system is the combination of external influences (mass media, surfactants, organizational or governmental mandates) and internal influences (strong and weak social relationships, distance from opinion leaders).[19] There are many roles in a social system, and their combination represents the total influences on a potential adopter. |
Since this is all now defined. I am going to apply this theory to an influential innovation that has changed the way we see the world today.
The Compass
I am going to discuss how the compass was and is a very useful tool-- a necessary innovation. As a sailor, I know how important compasses are. Though today, they have a much more modern, electronic look. According to the History Channel website, "Originally invented in China, by the 14th-century compasses had widely replaced astronomical means as the primary navigational instrument for mariners. The compass provided explorers with a reliable method for traversing the world’s oceans, a breakthrough that ignited the Age of Discovery and won Europe the wealth and power that later fueled the Industrial Revolution. Most importantly, the compass allowed for interaction—both peaceful and otherwise—between previously isolated world cultures." They also state compasses are seen as obsolete due to satellites and GPS. Despite this fact, it is still a useful skill--even outside of a scouting program.
As mentioned, the compass was essential for aid in navigation for oceanic travel, but what was unmentioned, is how it is useful for land also. I know personally from camping, how useful a compass
is to have in your hand!
is to have in your hand!
As good as all of this sounds, how does this apply to the Diffusion of Innovations theory?
1. It is an innovation, first of all
2. It is adaptable--now mostly electronic
3. It communicates direction
4. It is reliable and very little interference can deter its accuracy
5. Though it does not need much promotion through the media, because most of its publicity is word of mouth, it has a social system nonetheless.
Most importantly, how and why of the spread of this technology occurred.
How -- other countries saw how effective it was and this innovation was eventually a worldwide phenomenon
Why -- it's usefulness for oceanic navigation
Also, here is a bell curve for the history of the Compass.
Sources:
Diffusion of Innovations
11 Innovations That Changed History
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