Diffusion of Innovations

Since the first edition of this landmark book was published in 1962,Everett Rogers's name has become "virtually synonymous with the studyof diffusion of innovations," according to Choice. The second andthird editions of Diffusion of Innovations became the standardtextbook and reference on diffusion studies. Now, in the fourthedition, Rogers presents the culmination of more than thirty years ofresearch that will set a new standard for analysis and inquiry.The fourth edition is (1) a revision of the theoretical framework andthe research evidence supporting this model of diffusion, and (2) anew intellectual venture, in that new concepts and new theoreticalviewpoints are introduced. This edition differs from its predecessorsin that it takes a much more critical stance in its review andsynthesis of 5,000 diffusion publications. During the past thirtyyears or so, diffusion research has grown to be widely recognized,applied and admired, but it has also been subjected to bothconstructive and destructive criticism. This criticism is due in largepart to the stereotyped and limited ways in which many diffusionscholars have defined the scope and method of their field of study.Rogers analyzes the limitations of previous diffusion studies,showing, for example, that the convergence model, by whichparticipants create and share information to reach a mutualunderstanding, more accurately describes diffusion in most cases thanthe linear model.Rogers provides an entirely new set of case examples, from theBalinese Water Temple to Nintendo videogames, that beautifullyillustrate his expansive research, as well as a completely revisedbibliography covering all relevant diffusion scholarship in the pastdecade. Most important, he discusses recent research and currenttopics, including social marketing, forecasting the rate of adoption,technology transfer, and more. This all-inclusive work will beessential reading for scholars and students in the fields ofcommunications, marketing, geography, economic development, politicalscience, sociology, and other related fields for generations to come.

Everett M. Rogers is professor and chair of the Department of Communication & Journalism at the University of New Mexico. A past president of the International Communications Association, he is the author of A History of Communication Study (Free Press, 1994), Communication Technology (Free Press, 1986), and several other widely acclaimed books and articles on communication and innovation.