It is interesting to see how a model of diffusion of innovations proposed
by Everett Rogers many years ago, still holds for diffusion of information
technologies such as Java or
even for evaluating Fortune 100
Web Site Content Analysis.
Diffusion of Innovations
Everett Rogers offers the diffusion course in the University of New Mexico's Department of Communications and Journalism, and also is presently conducting investigations (1) on the adoption of HIV/AIDS prevention and family planning as the result of a radio soap opera in Tanzania, (2) of Japanese-American technology transfer of microelectronics technologies, (3) of cultural differences in the diffusion strategies utilized by HIV/AIDS prevention programs in San Francisco, and (4) on preventing drunk driving in New Mexico. Rogers also directs research on technology transfer and commercialization from Federal laboratories like Sandia National Laboratories.
Other online diffusion courses are offered worldwide in Universities like
a Sociology
Diffusion of Innovations course offered in Iowa State.
There are also useful tools and games like the "Innovation
Diffusion Game"proposed by Alan AtKisson. Many other useful Web links have been
compiled by Bill Bachman in Bowling Green State University.