A diffusion of innovations measurement scale for reinvention, relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability

Diffusion of innovations (DOI) theory identifies critical factors that influence technology adoption rates and offers a predictive model for understanding how innovations spread through populations. While DOI theory encompasses six key perceptual characteristics (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability, and reinvention), most empirical research operationalizes only Rogers' five core attributes, rarely integrating reinvention despite its theoretical importance for understanding post-adoption adaptation. This research develops and validates a comprehensive scale measuring all six DOI characteristics, with particular attention to the reinvention construct. Through three independent samples (n = 2,019), we test the scale's validity within a nomological network, creating an adaptable instrument for studying innovation diffusion that captures the full scope of DOI theory.

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Publication Details

Journal
PLoS ONE
Published
2025-10-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0334616
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Innovation Diffusion and Forecasting
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
4.21
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article

A diffusion of innovations measurement scale for reinvention, relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability

Kristy A. Hamilton, Hannah Overbye-Thompson
2 citations
PLoS ONE
Innovation Diffusion and Forecasting
4.21
article

A diffusion of innovations measurement scale for reinvention, relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability

Kristy A. Hamilton, Hannah Overbye-Thompson
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Diffusion of innovations (DOI) theory identifies critical factors that influence technology adoption rates and offers a predictive model for understanding how innovations spread through populations. While DOI theory encompasses six key perceptual characteristics (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability, and reinvention), most empirical research operationalizes only Rogers' five core attributes, rarely integrating reinvention despite its theoretical importance for understanding post-adoption adaptation. This research develops and validates a comprehensive scale measuring all six DOI characteristics, with particular attention to the reinvention construct. Through three independent samples (n = 2,019), we test the scale's validity within a nomological network, creating an adaptable instrument for studying innovation diffusion that captures the full scope of DOI theory.

PLoS ONEVol. 20(10)
University of California, Santa Barbara (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Innovation Diffusion and Forecasting
4.21
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