COLEBOURNE, AMELIA; MPL

                         QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON (CANADA), 1994
 
                         URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING (0999)
 

                         This thesis explores diffusion of innovation in the residential construction industry using Kingston
                         builders as typical of the industry in general, Diffusion theory describes the ways in which innovation is
                         spread through society. The sociological perspective is concerned with individuals and the
                         characteristics that make them more or less prone to adopt innovation. Positive variables include high
                         education levels and other socio-economic indicators, a central position in the communication network,
                         as well as strong linkages to the resource system. This perspective categorizes adopters as early to late,
                         and the distribution is described by a 'normal' curve. The economic perspective of diffusion includes
                         attributes of the firm, the industry, the market and the socio-political context, as variables which influence
                         the adoption and diffusion of innovation. Since most firms are profit-oriented, the main accelerator for
                         adoption of an innovation is low cost with high return (relative advantage). Market variables include
                         customer demand, competition, market niche, and support from suppliers. Regulatory forces may
                         enhance or inhibit adoption of innovation. The attributes of the innovations are also variables in their rate
                         of diffusion. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) .

Social Systems Simulation Group P.O. Box 6904 San Diego, CA  92166-0904 Roland Werner, Principal Phone/FAX  (619) 660-1603