Mechanisms, Channels, Agents of Diffusion of Innovations

This study was part of broader PhD research which investigated how access to, and use of, information enhances adaptation to climate change and variability in the agricultural sector in semi-arid Central Tanzania. The research was carried out in two villages using Rogersâ€™ Diffusion of Innovations theory and model to assess the dissemination of this information and its use by farmers in their adaptation of their farming practices to climate change and variability. This predominantly qualitative study employed a post-positivist paradigm. Some elements of a quantitative approach were also deployed in the data collection and analysis. The principal data collection methods were interviews and focus group discussions. The study population comprised farmers, agricultural extension officers and the Climate Change Adaptation in Africa project manager. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis whereas quantitative data were analysed to generate mostly descriptive statistics using SPSS. Â Key findings of the study show that farmers perceive a problem in the dissemination and use of climate information for agricultural development. They found access to agricultural inputs to be expensive, unreliable and untimely. To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and variability on farming effectively, the study recommends the repackaging of current and accurate information on climate change and variability, farmer education and training, and collaboration between researchers, meteorology experts, and extension officers and farmers. Moreover, a clear policy framework for disseminating information related to climate change and variability is required.

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DIFFUSION AND ADOPTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN SOUTH AFRICAN TELECENTRES: SELECTED TELECENTRES IN KWAZULU-NATAL

Mousaion ◽

10.25159/0027-2639/845 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 103-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Blessing Mbatha

Keyword(s):

Information And Communication Technologies ◽

Diffusion Of Innovations ◽

Local Community ◽

Information And Communications Technologies ◽

Community Members ◽

Kwazulu Natal ◽

Information And Communication ◽

Ict Tools ◽

The Government ◽

Types Of Information

This study investigated the usage and types of information and communications technologies (ICTs) accessible to community members in four selected Thusong Service Centres (TSCs or telecentres) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The telecentres that participated in the study were: Nhlazuka, Mbazwane, Dududu and Malangeni. The study was informed by Rogersâ€™ (1995) Diffusion of Innovations (DoI) theory. Through a survey, four TSCs were purposively selected. A questionnaire was used to collect data from community members in the four telecentres involved. The data collected was tabulated under the various headings and presented using tables, frequencies, percentiles and generalisations with the help of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results indicated that a variety of ICT tools have been adopted in the TSCs to provide the local community with the much-needed access to information and improved communication. The government should ensure that adequate varieties and levels of ICT competence are offered to all the citizens. In conclusion, there is a need for sufficient and coherent government policies regulating the training of the local community to use these ICTs effectively.

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OBOLESCENCE AND THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS

Izvestiâ Timirâzevskoj selʹskohozâjstvennoj akademii ◽

10.26897/0021-342x-2020-4-113-130 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 113-130

Author(s):

A.V. GOLUBEV ◽

Keyword(s):

Diffusion Of Innovations ◽

Time Lag ◽

Practical Implementation ◽

Primary Role ◽

Innovation Development ◽

Scientific Hypothesis ◽

Scientific Papers ◽

The Moment ◽

Sociological Studies

The diffusion of innovations is described as a process in a number of scientific papers. At the same time, the causes of this process have not been sufficiently studied. The author’s goal is to consider the main regularities, under which the life cycle of innovations begins, and propose measures to enhance diffusion in modern conditions. As a scientific hypothesis, the author accepts the postulate about the primary role of the obolescence of attracted innovations in this process. The analysis revealed not only the economic proportions that initiate the start of innovation promotion, but also the influence on the diffusion rate of the obsolescence degree of innovations and the market share occupied by the new product. Methodological approaches have been developed to determine economic efficiency depending on the moment of technological change-over, as well as to determine the absolute and relative speed of innovation diffusion. Sociological studies were conducted to determine the state of innovation development and the time lag between obtaining information about an innovation and its practical implementation. The author presents his “Agroopyt” information system developed to disseminate knowledge in the agricultural sphere and ensure technology transfer in agriculture. Digital methods provide for significant accelerateion of the diffusion of innovations and expand its scope.

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DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS, KNOWLEDGE SPILLOVERS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE REGIONS OF KAZAKHSTAN: MUTUAL IMPACT

THE BULLETIN ◽

10.32014/2020.2518-1467.81 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (385) ◽

pp. 151-159

Author(s):

L. S. Spankulova ◽

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M. A. Kaneva ◽

Z. K. Chulanova ◽

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...

Keyword(s):

Economic Growth ◽

Diffusion Of Innovations ◽

Knowledge Spillovers

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The drivers of innovation diffusion in agriculture: evidence from Italian census data

Journal on Chain and Network Science ◽

10.3920/jcns2014.x009 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 231-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

G. Avolio ◽

E. Blasi ◽

C. Cicatiello ◽

S. Franco

Keyword(s):

Innovation Diffusion ◽

Diffusion Of Innovations ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Census Data ◽

Structural Features ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Local Expenditure ◽

Diffusion Dynamics ◽

Italian Provinces ◽

Market Opportunities

Innovation is a key issue in the discussion about the links between agriculture, food production and sustainability. Indeed, the creation, adoption and exploitation of innovations can interact with all three dimensions of sustainability – environment, society and economy. Despite the increasing support for innovation practices in the agrifood sector from institutions and public policies, innovation in this sector has spread quite slowly. Indeed, the diffusion of innovations strongly depends on the social, institutional and productive system behind the technological/structural features of the farms. The analysis of the drivers underpinning the innovation diffusion dynamics in agriculture is therefore a very interesting topic for studies in this domain. This paper aims to provide a map of the diffusion of innovations in the Italian agricultural sector, highlighting differences and territorial specificities. We try to explain the drivers and factors influencing such specificities, drawing from data on the agricultural sector as well as information on the institutional and regulatory framework. Data on the diffusion of product, process, organizational and marketing innovations in agriculture have been gathered for the 110 Italian provinces, drawing from the 2010 Agricultural Census survey. Maps of the diffusion of the different types of innovations have then been constructed and analysed. Results show that the diffusion of the different innovation types is not uniform within the country. Some are typical to specific areas where productive or market opportunities occur. Others are not territorial-specific but are linked to the features of the single farms. The influence of the regulatory context also seems to play a significant role. By analysing the local expenditure in rural development intervention, we analyses how the synergies among the productive and institutional systems may act as a driver for innovation diffusion in agriculture.

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