ERDA and the diffusion of innovations: a concept paper

Technical Report · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7301723· OSTI ID:7301723

Sommers, P.; Clark, R. W.

This paper explores the usefulness of a body of academic literature to a government agency. The diffusion of innovations literature is briefly reviewed. Ways in which this literature might prove useful to ERDA are outlined. Proposals are offered for research that would correct some of the agency-relevant deficiences of the literature. Discipline-specific conclusions are found about the factors that influence the rate of adoption of innovations. Sociologists find that interpersonal interaction and perceived compatibility are important variables. Economists focus on profitability and size of investments as explanatory variables. The relationships between these variables and their underlying theoretical constructs have been inadequately explored. ERDA's potential involvement in diffusion processes is indicated by its emphasis on commercializing energy-efficient technologies and by the funding of an Energy Extension Service. It is suggested that the diffusion of innovations literature may provide an important source of guidance for these efforts. 34 references.

• Research Organization: Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7301723
• Report Number(s): COO-4287-5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
292000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Supply
Demand & Forecasting
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
CHARGES
COMMERCIALIZATION
DECISION MAKING
DOCUMENT TYPES
EDUCATION
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY EXTENSION SERVICE
ENERGY FACILITIES
ENERGY SHORTAGES
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SUPPLIES
MANUALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SOCIAL IMPACT
SOCIOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
USES