A longitudinal study of the diffusion of a computer-based administrative innovation within a university faculty network

Abstract

Identifying predictors of computer use such as attitude, anxiety, and receptivity to change have been the primary area of interest in instmctional technology. Research relating to the diffusion of innovations in education has been based primarily on looking at these individual characteristics as predictors of use.

This dissertation proposes to use social network analysis to study the diffusion of two computer-based administrative innovations within a university faculty network. Methodology issues concerning time of adoption and network nominations were examined as well as the relationship of time of adoption and the number of network nominations received, spatial proximity, and organizational unit proximity. Finally, the diffusion of the innovations was to be analyzed using the dual-classification and T/CM models.