Editing Diffusion of innovations (section)

== Rate of adoption ==

The rate of adoption is defined as the relative speed at which participants adopt an innovation. Rate is usually measured by the length of time required for a certain percentage of the members of a social system to adopt an innovation.{{sfn|Rogers|1962|p=134}} The rates of adoption for innovations are determined by an individual's adopter category. In general, individuals who first adopt an innovation require a shorter adoption period (adoption process) when compared to late adopters.

Within the [[adoption curve]] at some point the innovation reaches [[Critical mass (sociodynamics)|critical mass]]. This is when the number of individual adopters ensures that the innovation is self-sustaining.

=== Adoption strategies ===

Rogers outlines several strategies in order to help an innovation reach this stage, including when an innovation adopted by a highly respected individual within a [[social network]] and creating an instinctive desire for a specific innovation. Another strategy includes injecting an innovation into a group of individuals who would readily use said technology, as well as providing positive reactions and benefits for early adopters.

=== Diffusion vis-à-vis adoption ===

Adoption is an individual process detailing the series of stages one undergoes from first hearing about a product to finally adopting it. Diffusion signifies a group phenomenon, which suggests how an innovation spreads.