Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Incremental
innovation
phase
Design
refinement
phase
Fermentation
Take-off
time
Maturity
Figure 6.1
S-shaped technology growth curve.
Adapted from Cosier and Hughes, 2001, used with permission.
(2.5%)
(13.5%)
(34%)
(34%)
(16%)
Early adopters
(Visionaries)
Early majority
(Pragmatists)
Late majority
(Conservatives)
Laggards
(Skeptics)
Innovators
(Technology
enthusiasts)
Figure 6.2
Technology adoption life cycle segments.
Adapted from Ryans et al., 1999, used with permission.
1.
Innovators (2.5 percent)
: those who have a clear knowledge of the technology and are
willing to give the technology a try.
2.
Early Adopters (13.5 percent)
: visionaries who adopt the new technology based on its
potential benefits even when they do not have a clear familiarity with the technology.
3.
Early Majority (34 percent)
: this group does not necessary adopt new technologies based
on novelty, but instead when they see it will bring clear benefits for their enterprise.
