Title: Causal modelling innovation, manufacturing, diffusion and adoption/rejection (IMDAR) processes for new, superior medical technologies

Authors: Arch G. Woodside, Glenn Voss

Addresses: Freeman School of Business, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 80118, USA. North Carolina State University, North Carolina, USA

Abstract: Examining the available evidence on the creation-design, diffusion, and adoption of superior, new medical technologies (NMTs) is useful for developing a grounded behavioural theory of the realised strategies on all three behaviours. Evidence from several case studies and large survey studies supports the following propositions: 1) Lead-users (e.g. innovating surgeons) seek out manufacturers to assist in turning crude sketches of new product designs into working prototypes, as well as providing engineering specifications and revised manufacturing of prototypes. 2) The involvement of third -parties (individuals and firms peripheral to the development, marketing, and adoption of NMTs) dramatically influences the efficiency and efficacy of the innovation and adoption processes. 3) Inter-organisational networks emerge and develop as a consequence of interactions and behaviours of multiple persons in multiple firms. 4) New inter-organisational relationships for NMTs often become necessary to overcome the ‘installed-base effect’. We present a general framework that includes some core research findings from field studies on NMT innovation-manufacturing-marketing-diffusion-adoption-rejection processes.

Keywords: adoption; diffusion; innovation; manufacturing; rejection; new medical technologies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.1999.001065

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 1999 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.200-208

Published online: 30 Jun 2003 *

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