Some Aspects of An Analytical Framework for Studying the Diffusion of Organizational Innovations

Journal article, 1998

The objective of this paper is to explore the extent to which the more recent literature on innovation and diffusion, with a prime focus on technical innovations, can contribute to a useful analytical framework for studying the diffusion of organizational innovations. We review that literature, compare the intrinsic features of technical and organizational innovations, and explore what these differences may mean for an eventual analytical framework specifically developed for studying organizational innovations. We conclude that the received 'innovation' literature has a great deal to offer but that some modifications are required. In particular, we suggest that the role of factors 'inside' the firm and of non-market mechanisms for transfer of organizational innovations needs special emphasis.