Title: A stochastic approach to diffusion model with asymmetric influence

Authors: Naomichi Suzuki, Masatoshi Tanaka, Kazuhiro Kasai, Kijung Sung

Addresses: Department of Comprehensive Management, Matsumoto University, 1154-5, Niimura, Matsumoto 390-1295, Japan. ' Department of Comprehensive Management, Matsumoto University, 1154-5, Niimura, Matsumoto 390-1295, Japan. ' Department of Comprehensive Management, Matsumoto University, 1154-5, Niimura, Matsumoto 390-1295, Japan. ' Department of Comprehensive Management, Matsumoto University, 1154-5, Niimura, Matsumoto 390-1295, Japan

Abstract: A diffusion model with innovators and imitators is formulated by the use of the generalised birth process with immigration. In our formulation, the immigration rate and the birth rate have time dependence. The immigration process corresponds to the behaviour of innovators and the birth process to that of imitators. The Bass model is derived under the assumption that the ratio of the immigration rate to the birth rate is constant. An extension of the Bass model based on the stochastic process is proposed, by which data with broad peak or bimodal shape can be analysed. Data on the sales of new products and on hit phenomena are analysed by the diffusion model.

Keywords: diffusion modelling; asymmetric influence; birth and death process; Bass model; immigration rate; birth rate; new products; new product sales; innovators; imitators; product diffusion.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2011.038484

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2011 Vol.22 No.1, pp.78 - 92

Published online: 27 Nov 2014 *

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