Technology Adoption, Diffusion & Absorption

Technology: Accommodation and Management

Technology Adoption

Technology adoption refers to the acceptance of a new product or innovation, according to the demographic and psychological characteristics of defined adopter groups. The process of adoption over time is typically illustrated as a classical normal distribution or "bell curve."

Technology Adoption

Adoption" refers to the stage in which a technology is selected for use by an individual or an organization.

Adopter Groups

1. Innovators 2. Early Adopters 3. Early Majority 4. Late Majority 5. Laggards 6. Non-Users

Adoption Process

Knowledge

Persuasion

Decision
Reject Accept

Implementation

Confirmation

Technology Diffusion "Diffusion" refers to the stage in which the technology spreads to general use and application. Diffusion is a theory of how, why, and at what rate new ideas and technology spread through cultures.

Technology Diffusion
Technology diffusion involves the dissemination of technical information and know-how and the subsequent adoption of new technologies and techniques by users.

Adoption/Diffusion Theories Innovation Decision Process theory Individual Innovativeness theory Rate of Adoption theory Perceived Attributes theory

Innovation Decision Process theory Five stages of the diffusion process.

they must learn about the technology (knowledge); they must be persuaded of the value of the technology (persuasion); then must decide to adopt it (decision); the technology must then be implemented (implementation); and finally, the decision must be reaffirmed or rejected (confirmation).

The focus is on the user or adopter

Individual Innovativeness theory

This theory concentrates on the individuals as:

Individuals who are risk takers or otherwise innovative will adopt a technology earlier in the continuum of adoption/diffusion.

Rate of Adoption theory

This theory states that the diffusion of a technology depends upon the rate of its adoption:
Diffusion takes place over time with technologies going through a slow, gradual growth period, followed by dramatic and rapid growth, and then a gradual stabilization and finally a decline.

Perceived Attributes theory

There are five attributes upon which a Technology is judged:

it can be tried out (trialability), results can be observed (observability), it has an advantage over other innovations or the present circumstance (relative advantage), it is not overly complex to learn or use (complexity), it fits in or is compatible with the circumstances into which it will be adopted (compatibility).

Technology Absorption
Absorption verbally means the taking in or the reception. Hence, in case of technology, Absorption refers to the process through which the users of a technology absorb the technology into their lives. A user adopts a technology, eventually it gets diffused and then gradually the user starts using it regularly. This stage is known as absorption, wherein the technology gets absorbed into the routine of the user.

Stages of User

From Adoption through Absorption:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Aware Suspect Prospect User Regular User Loyal Customer Advisor(to others)

Absorption : Accommodation
Technology, being an important issue for any individual or an organization, needs to be accommodated with proper channels, media and modes.
Accommodation of technology involves:
Identifying the source Negotiating upon the transfer of Technology Arranging the medium for transfer Storing the Technology Proper and timely retrieval of Technology

Technology Management
Technology Management is set of management disciplines that allows organizations to manage its technological fundamentals to create competitive advantage. It can also be defined as the integrated planning, design, optimization, operation and control of technological products, processes and services, Or the management of the use of technology for human advantage.