The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), particularly the Internet, has attracted huge attention. Despite the attention paid to research into Internet use in homes, government agencies and business firms, little attention has been paid to other types of organisations such as civil society organisations (CSOs).

The diffusion of the Internet is the interest of many firms or individuals who see the Internet as an opportunity, a threat, or both. Huge amount of intellectual and real capital are invested on Internet. The more people understand the dynamics of Internet diffusion, the better they will manage the efforts put on it. The purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which the diffusion of the Internet-related innovation could be adequately described by the diffusion models and the effect of internal influence versus external influence described in the models. Two hypotheses of the Internet innovation diffusion are proposed. First, the number of potential adopters of the Internet innovation diffusion is dynamic, not constant. Second, in contrast to the traditional innovations, the diffusion of Internet innovation has stronger interpersonal communication influence than the promotional activity effect. Twelve Internet innovations are estimated in both the Bass model and the Dynamic model. The first hypothesis is fully supported, and the second hypothesis is partially supported. Based on the evidence, Internet innovations can be categorized into web-based versus non-web. The non-web Internet innovation of connection and communication like Internet, ADSL, and Skype has no significant difference of the ratio of the internal influence and the external influence effects to the traditional innovations. The segment-focused niche website, such as Amazon, eBay, and PayPal, has the strong internal influence effect. Understanding the various effects of Internet innovation diffusion can provide advantages in terms of enhancing functions and planning marketing strategies and tactics.

Diss. Univ. Kiel, 1999.

Genetic testing offers disease diagnosis and other information based on genetic material provided by an individual. Direct to consumer genetic tests bypass clinicianadministered tests in favour of direct sales and usage by consumers. The relative newness of consumer genetic testing to the South African market provides an opportunity for understanding the factors that would drive adoption of these products. An established technology acceptance model was enriched with factors important to clinical genetic testing and individual innovativeness. The model was tested through an online questionnaire with a nonprobability sample of 109 individuals. Factors including performance expectancy, social influence and discrimination concerns, were found to exhibit significant influence on consumers’ behavioural intention to use consumer genetic tests. These findings provide a theoretical framework of individuals’ attributes of importance for marketing and sales of consumer genetic tests. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Scientific developments in genetics receive great public and political attention. However, genetic tests as medical innovations need to travel from the laboratory to the individual patient in order to fulfil the goal that makes the science so attractive. A medical innovation has to pass through the institutions of diverse health care systems. This thesis compares how the structures of two very different health care systems in Europe (Germany and the UK) foster or hinder the diffusion of genetic technologies. It presents a detailed analysis of the institutional pathways involved in order to discuss whether and in which way the kind of medical innovation that genetic testing represents is accommodated. The case study used for analysing the passage of a genetic test in both countries is diagnostic testing for Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY). This example has the idiosyncratic dimension that it had strong support by scientists and government when the UK Government prioritized genetics in health policy. However, MODY testing was chosen for this study because MODY is a ‘simple’ monogenetic test, and it is one of the few at present that are both reliable and lead to altered treatment with a better quality of life for the patient. MODY represents, according to the current state of genomic knowledge, a prime example of what genetics is likely to deliver at best over the coming decades. In brief, the comparison of the pathways MODY travelled and the degree to which it reached patients successfully shows that both systems are not optimally set up to exploit what MODY genetic testing has to offer, but that the vertical structure and centralization in the UK system fit the needs of genetic medical innovations better than the horizontal, diversified and market oriented structures dominating the German health care system.

Although several sustainability implementation frameworks have been proposed, researchers have not yet proposed theories or models to help organisations speed up the rate of sustainability diffusion and narrow the gap between what is known and what is put into use. This study sought to fill this gap by proposing a sustainability diffusion model. The model was developed from an exhaustive review of the corresponding literature. It uses Rogers' (1962) diffusion of innovations theory and Ajzen's (1991) theory of planned behaviour as a theoretical foundation. The model was tested and its structural architecture was validated in three different sustainability contexts; namely, duplex printing in UK universities; sustainable computing in service-based businesses; and sustainability culture in UK universities. The primary data was analysed statistically using SPSS, and structural equation modelling (SEM) in particular was used to validate the structural architecture of the proposed model. The SEM results indicate that the structural architecture of the theory of planned behaviour is well-founded. All the hypotheses that underline the theory's paths were supported. In contrast, the structural architecture of the diffusion of innovations theory was weakly supported. Some of the paths were rejected in at least two occasions. For example, the relationship between pro-sustainability knowledge and attitude was neither statistically significant nor directional. Moreover, several components of the 'verified' model turned out to be statistically insignificant or were rejected altogether. These were knowledge, perceived self interest, perceived persuader legitimacy, perceived consequences, perceived argument quality, trialability and perceived source credibility. Accordingly, once these constructs were removed and the model was restructured in accordance with the results of SEM analysis, an entirely new version of the 'sustainability diffusion model' emerged (See Figure IX-2). The architecture of the new model suggests that in order to speed up the rate of sustainability diffusion, change agents must emphasise the relative advantage, compatibility, subjective norm and the urgency of the pro-sustainability initiative under implementation and de-emphasise any complexities or risks associated with its operationalisation. Unexpectedly, the new version of the proposed model relies more on Ajzen's (1991) theory of planned behaviour as a theoretical foundation than on Rogers' (1983) innovation-decision process model. In other words, the new model maintained almost all the features of the theory of planned behaviour, but it only absorbed some, but not all, of the components of Rogers' innovation-decision process model. Nevertheless, the new model maintained its holistic nature. It still takes into account both the person-specific and innovation-specific factors that influence the diffusion, adoption and actualisation of pro-sustainability behaviours/initiatives.

This thesis develops a conceptual framework to determine the probability of adopting HT canola when producers are assumed heterogeneous. The model is based on the framework developed by Fulton and Keyowski (1999), but is modified from a deterministic model to a probabilistic model. The study also considers the gross returns from adopting HT canola. Canola production in Manitoba, Canada is chosen as the region of analysis for the empirical component of the study. In 2002, 74 per cent of total canola acres in Manitoba were devoted to HT canola production. Factors such as soil type, producer risk profile, experience, productivity, and management ability are considered as potential determining factors which distinguish adopters of HT technology from non-adopters. Based on an initial assessment of Manitoba canola data, which shows the incomplete adoption of HT technology in Manitoba, a model is developed which considers adoption of a new technology as a function of the characteristics of the adopters. The conceptual model is tested empirically in two-stages. The first stage employs Ordinary Least Squares analysis to estimate the expected yield of different canola varieties to determine whether producers realize a benefit from the adoption of HT varieties. A logit analysis is conducted in the second stage, and considers different attributes of producers such as risk aversion, management ability, productivity and expected yields to determine the probability of producers adopting HT technology. The results show two primary findings. First, certain HT varieties can be shown to give producers higher returns. Second, differentiating characteristics of producers are key in determining the likely adoption of HT canola.

This thesis develops a conceptual framework to determine the probability of adopting HT canola when producers are assumed heterogeneous. The model is based on the framework developed by Fulton and Keyowski (1999), but is modified from a deterministic model to a probabilistic model. The study also considers the gross returns from adopting HT canola. Canola production in Manitoba, Canada is chosen as the region of analysis for the empirical component of the study. In 2002, 74 per cent of total canola acres in Manitoba were devoted to HT canola production. Factors such as soil type, producer risk profile, experience, productivity, and management ability are considered as potential determining factors which distinguish adopters of HT technology from non-adopters. Based on an initial assessment of Manitoba canola data, which shows the incomplete adoption of HT technology in Manitoba, a model is developed which considers adoption of a new technology as a function of the characteristics of the adopters. The conceptual model is tested empirically in two-stages. The first stage employs Ordinary Least Squares analysis to estimate the expected yield of different canola varieties to determine whether producers realize a benefit from the adoption of HT varieties. A logit analysis is conducted in the second stage, and considers different attributes of producers such as risk aversion, management ability, productivity and expected yields to determine the probability of producers adopting HT technology. The results show two primary findings. First, certain HT varieties can be shown to give producers higher returns. Second, differentiating characteristics of producers are key in determining the likely adoption of HT canola.

With the evolution of communication and hardware technology, mobile phones evolved from the voice communication to the multi-function, the scope of mobile phone applications had completely changed. In this era of rapid technological progress, the shorter product lifecycle and higher replacement rates of smartphone induce competition in the relevant industry become more intense. Various industries introduce new products and applications in efforts to cope with the increasing challenges, but how many features are used by users? In the cause of real connection between mobile phone and users, the control must with a good user interface, but the needs of industries identified do not necessarily conform to user's needs, ignoring the user's thoughts often lead to product failure, master the needs of user is the key to success. Therefore, this study uses the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the theoretical foundation, adds the Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT) and the induction of the human-machine interface (or User Interface, UI) design principles (diversity, intuition) as external variables, to further explores the attitude of using smartphone . The results: (1) diversity, compatibility, positive influence on perceived usefulness, but intuition don't influence significantly; (2) diversity, intuition, compatibility, positive influence on perceived ease of use; (3) perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, relative advantage positive influence on the attitude of use; (4) trialability, observability influence on the attitude of use is not significant, and trialability existence negative relationship with the attitude of use.

Organic agriculture has offered a more sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural production and has grown rapidly in many countries. By 2012, over 5,000 hectares of land will be farmed organically in Taiwan. To understand and predict Taiwanese farmers¡¦ intention to become engaged in organic agricultural production, this study assessed participants¡¦ behavior determinants based on an integrated model, including Ajzen¡¦s (1988) theory of planned behavior and Roger¡¦s (1995) theory of innovation diffusion. An extra variable¡Xresponsibility¡Xwas also added to the model. The study interviews 166 farmers from organic farming class held by Agriculture Reform Fields, and 187 farmers from conventional farming class held by local Farmers¡¦ Associations. Assessments show that for farmers who attended organic-farming classes, (a) attitude, perceived behavioral control and responsibility predict participants¡¦ intention behind engagement in organic agriculture, and that (b) complexity, compatibility and observability predict their attitude. As for farmers who attended conventional-farming classes, assessments reveal that (a) attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and responsibility predict participants¡¦ intention behind engagement in organic agriculture, and that (b) environmental concern, complexity and observability predict participants¡¦ attitude. Furthermore, results also suggest that farmers who have younger ages, degrees of higher education, ownership of larger land, or suspicions that acquaintances fell ill due to pesticides are more willing to engage in organic agriculture. Implications regarding how to construct organic agriculture policy and how to distribute to farmers relevant information (e.g., certification process, sales skills and skills in organic farming) are discussed.