The challenges of implementing the Common Core State Standards at the classroom level resulted in political pushback to the reform initiative after the local media covered poor implementation decisions. This study explored how elementary school teachers and instructional leaders described teachers' progress along the implementation continuum for the standards. The concerns-based adoption model served as the conceptual framework for this study. This multicase study design consisted of 16 interviews of teachers and instructional leaders from 4 schools. Data were analyzed through a process that began with open coding followed by axial coding to identify themes. Teacher collaboration driving implementation progress emerged as a theme. The following needs also emerged: (a) training to make the required instructional shifts, (b) common processes to monitor implementation progress, and (c) aligned resources. The results led to a semester-long professional development project pairing a quality improvement process popular in other fields with the existing professional learning community structure to address the problem. This project built on the implementation progress made through working collaboratively to meet the training needs of the teachers; the project also included mechanisms for monitoring teachers' progress in implementing the standards. The project study provides insight and specific steps for teachers and leaders working to implement the standards. Students will be the ultimate beneficiaries of this project study through improvements in their teachers' instructional practice.

Over 700,000 adverse drug events (ADEs) result in emergency hospital visits annually, and many of these ADEs are preventable through the use of health information technology in hospitals. However, only 12.6% of U.S. hospitals have developed the capacity to adopt closed-loop electronic medical records (EMR). Organizational complexity may be a major factor influencing hospitals' adoption of closed-loop EMR. This quantitative study explored how organizational complexity influenced hospitals' adoption of closed-loop EMR. Diffusion of innovation theory was the foundation for this study. Logistic regression was used to establish possible relationships between organizational complexity and hospitals' adoption of EMR for closed-loop medication therapy management. Secondary data from Health Information and Management Systems Society were examined to explore the relationship between organization complexity and hospitals' adoption of EMR for closed-loop medication therapy. The research questions explored whether vendor selection strategy, structural complexity, and management structure influence hospitals' adoption of EMR for closed-loop medication therapy management. The results indicated that all three variables, vendor selection strategy, structural complexity, and management structure, are statistically significant predictors of hospitals' adoption of EMR for closed-loop medication therapy management. Results from this study may promote positive social change by enhancing hospitals' adoption of EMR for closed-loop medication therapy management, which may therefore help improve the quality, efficiency, and safety of health care delivery in U.S. hospitals.

Although Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technology toolsets present enterprises with a significant amount of business benefits, such as improved enterprise communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation; nevertheless, enterprises are still facing tremendous challenges in promoting and sustaining end-user adoption. The challenges associated with the adoption and promotion of Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technologies can often be linked to a resistance to change, a closed culture environment, and concerns pertaining to information security, technology complexity, as well as an unclear enterprise collaboration technology strategic roadmap. The primary objective of this study was to determine how generic guiding principles could facilitate the adoption and promotion of Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technologies within an enterprise environment. In support of the primary objective, our sub-objectives were to identify the challenges that enterprises, as well as enterprise end-users experience when adopting and promoting Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technologies, as well as to explore and describe the critical success factors for adopting and promoting Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technologies. A case study technique was used to gather the data from a large South African information and communications technology (ICT) enterprise operating within the retail sector based in Johannesburg. Enterprise end-users that formed part of the case study were selected by using purposive sampling. The end-users were selected, based on their experience, project sponsorship, as well as the project-participation roles performed in the adoption of their Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technology toolset. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on three (3) end-users, comprising a business analyst, a technology specialists and a senior executive. Furthermore, administered questionnaires were completed by five (5) end-users, who actively use their Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technology toolset on a daily basis, performing operational, as well as business administrative tasks. This study used a qualitative research approach. Since validity forms a vital role in any qualitative study, this research study incorporated three validity approaches, including: the theoretical, internal and external approaches. The theoretical and external validity approaches were used to validate the identified guiding principles through a systematic review of the existing literature, as well as reviews and comments obtained from two subject-matter experts representing independent enterprises. Furthermore, internal validity was employed to complement and substantiate the research findings, consisting of project documents and reports made available by the enterprise. The main contribution in this research study is a set of ten (10) guiding principles that could be applied by enterprises either planning to, or in the process of adopting an Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technology toolset. Furthermore, the guiding principles could assist enterprises in formulating a Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technology adoption strategy, incorporating key adoption elements, including commitment, promotion and sustainability. / Computing

有關科技創新在擴散上的研究已行之有年，且有不少有關的研究發現及案例。但是創新的層面不只侷限於科技，在近年來服務創新、行銷創新等概念的興起，產生了創新領域內新的研究目標。而這些類型的創新擴散研究更是相當稀少，故本研究希望從此一方向進行探索性研究，期望同時有助於實務與學術的發展。 社會與科技的快速發展，促使網際網路的使用普及化，也影響到公司與消費者間的溝通及行銷模式。行銷創新：Inbound Marketing也是在這樣的情境下誕生。而近來台灣大量公司也採行Inbound Marketing作為重要的行銷手段時。讓公司不斷採納Inbound Marketing的理由及想法應該有可解釋的背後因素，所以本研究期望藉由研究的結果回答三點研究問題：(1) 影響行銷創新採用的重要關鍵因素為何？(2) 行銷創新擴散主要因素為何？(3) 不同產業在採用行銷創新上的異同為何？ 本研究藉由文獻與學理的回顧，進一步探討Inbound Marketing行銷創新。以創新擴散、科技接受模式及兩階段理論作為基礎，發展出個案研究的基礎架構。研究架構將創新採用的過程，以創新決策流程作為基礎，區分為動機、啟發、執行及常規化等四個階段，並結合科技接受模式及兩階段理論中所討論的要素，進一步發展出構面。動機構面中含括創新、環境及組織等要素，啟發構面則包含設定標的及尋求創新等項目，執行構面則有重新定義及釐清兩個步驟，最後的構面則是常規化階段。本研究採用多重個案研究法，依前述的架構構面與變項進入深入的探討。 本研究所得到的初步結論包括：(1) 資源、環境及競爭要素是影響行銷創新採用的重要關鍵因素。(2) Inbound Marketing的高創新可近性是行銷創新擴散的主要因素。(3) 消費性電子及連鎖餐飲業在Inbound Marketing行銷創新採用的比較中，產業差異並不顯著。本論文最後進一步提出實務上及後續研究上的建議。 / Studies in innovation distribution and diffusion field have been researched for decades, but most innovation target will focus on technology innovation. Marketing innovation is still a new issue in innovation diffusion field. The study wants to be a base for following research in this topic. Internet quickly developing has totally changed communication tools between customers and companies, and forced new marketing method (or “marketing innovation”) “Inbound Marketing” was generated. And in these years, more and more companies adopt inbound marketing as a regular marketing tool. This study tries to explain the factors and motivation of company adopts marketing innovations, main reason of marketing innovation diffusion and differences of marketing innovation adoption between different industries. This study review innovation, marketing innovation related research, and make sure study target” Inbound Marketing” as a marketing innovation. And the study frame combines innovation diffusion, technology adoption model and two stage theory to analyze all study cases. The study structure is divided into four stages: Motivation, Inspiration, Execution and Routinization. Motivation contains “Innovation”,” Environment” and “Organization” factors. Inspiration includes “setting targets” and “seeking innovation”. Execution has ” Re-define” and “clarify” two stages. Finally companies adopt innovation and “Routinization”. The study finds “Resources”, “Environment” and “Competition” would be the main reason of marketing innovation adoption. And the high accessibility of inbound marketing with “Environment ” and “Competition” is the main factor of marketing innovation diffusion. Finally ,comparing “ Consumer Electronics Industry” and “ Chain restaurants” two industries, the difference in marketing innovation adoption is not obvious.

<p>Information Technology (IT) plays a significant role in today business competition. A prominent role is that it helps a firm to manage relationships with customers effectively. Adoption of appropriate technology can lead the firm to greater business competency, improve its business performance, and ensure it retains its competitive advantages. While there is a rich body of literature on IT innovation adoption and implementation, research on the adoption of IT innovation that is specifically intended to perform relationship marketing functions is scant. The problem in this research is to address the lack of a research framework for examining the factors influencing the adoption of techno-relationship innovations. The existing adoption models are insufficient in properly explaining which factors are involved in the adoption decision and which factors are more important, and are especially insufficient with regard to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).</p><p>The aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive research framework used for exploring the factors affecting the adoption of techno-relationship innovations and to apply this framework for empirically investigating the adoption of electronic Customer Relationship Management (eCRM) applications in manufacturing SMEs. This study proposes the term ‘techno-relationship innovation’ and defines it as a technology-related idea, process, method, product, or service that is intended to perform relationship marketing tasks and which is perceived as new to an individual or a firm. The developed research framework contains 20 potential determinant factors covering four contexts: individual, technological, organizational, and environmental.</p><p>This study was conducted through survey research and the sample was drawn by means of systematic sampling technique. The empirical data were collected by using self-administered questionnaires and the data analysis was based on 508 manufacturing SMEs in Thailand. The analysis was based on multivariate statistical techniques including t-test, factor analysis, deiscriminant analysis, and cluster analysis. The findings reveal interesting insights into understanding the adoption of eCRM applications by manufacturing SMEs.</p><p>The Key Influential Factors (KIF) model is proposed summarizing the conclusions of the study. It indicates what factors in what contexts should be given more or less attention. From 20 factors, the analysis indicates that 12 factors are important factors that should be given high priority. They are Compatibility, Industry Pressure, Customer Pressure, Subjective Norm, Attitude, External Support, Perceived Advantage, Observability, Perceived Relationship Marketing Functionality, Technological Expertise, Perceived Easiness, and Financial Resources. Five factors have the capability to discriminate between eCRM adopters and non-adopters but their discriminant powers are weak so they receive second priority. They are Competitive Pressure, Innovativeness, Business Experience, Governmental Encouragement, and Internet Experience. The other three factors appear insignificant but they should not be completely ignored when encouraging the adoption of eCRM applications. Thus, these three factors receive third priority. They are Size, Trialability, and Self-efficacy.</p><p>Furthermore, the eCRM adopters are classified into three groups: basic adopters, moderate adopters, and advanced adopters. The inference is that the basic eCRM adopters are uncertain whether eCRM applications are really needed for business success. In contrast, the moderate and advanced eCRM adopters require different attention which is related to maximizing the advantages of eCRM applications. This classification offers solid information for market segmentation purposes in the eCRM industry.</p><p>Study implications are acknowledged. A comprehensive research framework is proposed suggesting 20 potential determinant factors involved in examining the adoption of techno-relationship innovations. This research framework provides a tool to marketing researchers in conducting further research. Empirical investigation leads to the KIF model that offers guidance to government and private agencies in properly encouraging the adoption of eCRM applications and their relevant components among manufacturing SMEs. Moreover, the study’s limitations and suggestions for further research are provided.</p>

Information Technology (IT) plays a significant role in today business competition. A prominent role is that it helps a firm to manage relationships with customers effectively. Adoption of appropriate technology can lead the firm to greater business competency, improve its business performance, and ensure it retains its competitive advantages. While there is a rich body of literature on IT innovation adoption and implementation, research on the adoption of IT innovation that is specifically intended to perform relationship marketing functions is scant. The problem in this research is to address the lack of a research framework for examining the factors influencing the adoption of techno-relationship innovations. The existing adoption models are insufficient in properly explaining which factors are involved in the adoption decision and which factors are more important, and are especially insufficient with regard to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive research framework used for exploring the factors affecting the adoption of techno-relationship innovations and to apply this framework for empirically investigating the adoption of electronic Customer Relationship Management (eCRM) applications in manufacturing SMEs. This study proposes the term ‘techno-relationship innovation’ and defines it as a technology-related idea, process, method, product, or service that is intended to perform relationship marketing tasks and which is perceived as new to an individual or a firm. The developed research framework contains 20 potential determinant factors covering four contexts: individual, technological, organizational, and environmental. This study was conducted through survey research and the sample was drawn by means of systematic sampling technique. The empirical data were collected by using self-administered questionnaires and the data analysis was based on 508 manufacturing SMEs in Thailand. The analysis was based on multivariate statistical techniques including t-test, factor analysis, deiscriminant analysis, and cluster analysis. The findings reveal interesting insights into understanding the adoption of eCRM applications by manufacturing SMEs. The Key Influential Factors (KIF) model is proposed summarizing the conclusions of the study. It indicates what factors in what contexts should be given more or less attention. From 20 factors, the analysis indicates that 12 factors are important factors that should be given high priority. They are Compatibility, Industry Pressure, Customer Pressure, Subjective Norm, Attitude, External Support, Perceived Advantage, Observability, Perceived Relationship Marketing Functionality, Technological Expertise, Perceived Easiness, and Financial Resources. Five factors have the capability to discriminate between eCRM adopters and non-adopters but their discriminant powers are weak so they receive second priority. They are Competitive Pressure, Innovativeness, Business Experience, Governmental Encouragement, and Internet Experience. The other three factors appear insignificant but they should not be completely ignored when encouraging the adoption of eCRM applications. Thus, these three factors receive third priority. They are Size, Trialability, and Self-efficacy. Furthermore, the eCRM adopters are classified into three groups: basic adopters, moderate adopters, and advanced adopters. The inference is that the basic eCRM adopters are uncertain whether eCRM applications are really needed for business success. In contrast, the moderate and advanced eCRM adopters require different attention which is related to maximizing the advantages of eCRM applications. This classification offers solid information for market segmentation purposes in the eCRM industry. Study implications are acknowledged. A comprehensive research framework is proposed suggesting 20 potential determinant factors involved in examining the adoption of techno-relationship innovations. This research framework provides a tool to marketing researchers in conducting further research. Empirical investigation leads to the KIF model that offers guidance to government and private agencies in properly encouraging the adoption of eCRM applications and their relevant components among manufacturing SMEs. Moreover, the study’s limitations and suggestions for further research are provided.

The University of Pretoria (UP) implemented an upgraded version of the institutional learning management system (LMS) (called “new clickUP”) from June 2011 to December 2012. The purpose of the study is to determine the levels of use (LoU), stages of concern (SoC), and perceived expressed needs of health professional educators (HPEs) in the Faculty of Health Sciences as they adopt and implement the new LMS in their teaching. The rapid development of educational technology for teaching and learning is a cause of constant change in higher education institutions. In particular, regular upgrades to an LMS put pressure on lecturers, forcing them to learn to implement upgraded versions. Although LMSs are viewed as an essential part of technology-enhanced learning, the literature seems to be silent about widespread fidelity of use and how this may be achieved, particularly in a medical education context. The study follows an eclectic research design utilising the Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM) with its diagnostic tools (SoC and LoU) to evaluate both the concerns of HPEs and the extent of implementation of the LMS. The perceived expressed needs of HPEs in this context were explored further through interviews. The rationale for the study is that the levels of implementation of the LMS could be improved if professional staff development interventions address specific training and support needs of lecturers. The results of the study show that HPEs at UP have not yet completed the journey across the bridge of implementation. Based on the results of the SoC and LoU instruments, HPEs consistently rated concerns at the Unconcerned stage as the highest, and Management concerns as second highest. Informational and Personal stage concerns were rated not much lower than Management concerns. Detailed information regarding the context-specific needs of HPEs was collected from the perceived expressed needs interview, to supplement the needs obtained through the SoC questionnaire. The results reveal some variation from the SoC, as well as additional needs HPEs have with regard to the implementation of an LMS. Four core needs of the HPEs were identified: (i) to know the reason for the change to the new LMS; (ii) to have time available to learn, practice and implement the system; (iii) to have access to training and support resources; and (iv) to understand the functionalities available and associated possibilities for application in their teaching practice. By integrating the results of research question 1 (SoC) and research question 2 (LoU), the fidelity of implementation was ascertained, utilising a fidelity matrix based on the highest SoC and LoU achieved by HPEs. To accomplish the stated rationale (i.e. to facilitate the journey across the implementation bridge) the study recommends that attention should be paid to the Unconcerned and Management stages of concern. Specific training and support interventions should address these concerns, without neglecting Informational and Personal concerns that are still prevalent. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / unrestricted

With the advent of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation in 2002 and its attendant increases in accountability pressure, many districts and schools currently embrace data analysis as an essential part of the instructional decision making process. In their attempts to overcome low achievement on state-mandated tests, some districts have begun employing data coaches. The study reported here, which was set in three middle schools in a northeast Texas school district, assessed the influence of the campus data coach on a middle school mathematics teachers' use of analyzed data to make instructional decisions. It also examined the extent to which the Data Coach/teacher relationship resolved teacher concerns about data-driven decision making. Phenomenological interviews with data coaches were guided by Seidman's (2006) three-series interview. Measurement of teacher use of data to make decisions was based on the concerns-based adoption model's levels of use interview protocol, stages of concern questionnaire, and innovation configuration map. By the end of one school year, two out of the three teachers never used data to make instructional decisions, although the non-users both had moved closer toward employing the innovation in their classroom. Data indicated all teachers were aware of the innovation, but all three ended the study with high personal concerns, signifying that the minimal efforts made by the data coaches to resolve concerns were not successful. This study's small sample gave the research paradigm of data-based decision making an in-depth glimpse into the process of implementing data-based instructional decision making and the Data Coach position on three middle school campuses in one large northeast Texas district.

Microtransactions are part of a business model used almost extensively in the video-gaming industry where developers offer virtual goods or features via micropayments. The concept is relatively new and still unknown to many but deeply rooted in modern video-game developers’ business strategies. Microtransactions are found in smartphone applications, online games played on computer or gaming consoles, and while the concept might be unfamiliar to many, the odds are most have encountered it.   Most published games will feature in-game purchases where users have to option to purchase features, items or content for a small amount of money. A microtransaction in its most simplistic form is ad-removal, here developers offer the user a way to get rid of ads by charging a small amount, like $.99. While one microtransaction may seem insignificant, multiple impulsive purchases can quickly add up to considerable sums. This has resulted in the use of microtransactions becoming the most profitable business strategy for game developers.   This study seeks to describe what stimulates a person to complete a purchase by using the components of hedonic motivation from the HMSAM theory leading to the research question: Which hedonic motivations induce use of microtransaction systems and does it vary by age? To research the phenomena a quantitative questionnaire was formed based on hedonic motivations, including three motivations added by the author, gathering responses from 398 video-game players having completed a microtransaction purchase.   After analyzing the results, some components protruded more than others while the consensus suggested that the influence of hedonic motivation was comparatively low. The argument for this outcome may be that players see in-game items as objects of real-world value, making the microtransaction system within a game a utilitarian-motivation system. The general attitude towards microtransactions appeared to be poor which contradicts some elements of previous research while supporting others.   This thesis will contribute to the field of informatics by complementing the traditional technology acceptance model (TAM) with hedonic motivations, as proposed by Lowry et al. in 2013. The author of this study argue it is a modernized way of researching intentions to use asort of system.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of high school teachers’ concerns, willingness, aptitude, and use of iPads in the classroom during the adoption of a new technology. The design of this case study included a sample of eight teachers from the English, math, science, and history departments who were surveyed, observed, and interviewed using the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM). This study is guided by three research questions: (1) What are teachers’ concerns about using iPads in the high school English, math, science, and history classrooms? (2) What are teachers’ levels of iPad use in the English, math, science, and history classrooms? (3) What are teachers’ pedagogical practices as they use iPads in the English, math, science, and history classrooms? To research these questions, the study measured teacher concerns with the triangulation of three diagnostic instruments from the Concerns-Based Adoption Model: the Stages of Concern Questionnaire (SoCQ), the Innovation Configurations Map (IC Map), and the Levels of Use (LoU) matrix. The CBAM model was used to address the scarcity of literature regarding iPad use in content-area classrooms. The findings from the research show that the impact of introducing a new technology is more multifaceted than previously assumed. A teacher’s inclination and skill to use a new technology with their students varies considerably within a school and different approaches are observed across subject areas such as English, math, science, and history. When the Concerns-Based Adoption Model is used in organizational change, teacher concerns are revealed, which leads to finding opportunities for intervention and support by change facilitators who help individuals progress in the adoption of an innovation.