The Illusion of Diffusion in Information Systems Research

McMaster, Tom

doi:10.1007/978-0-387-35404-0_6

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…McMaster and Kautz (2002) have provided an account of the history and use of the term ranging from Chaucer in the fourteenth century to present times [7]. McMaster (2001) has also remarked on the "small footprint" of common knowledge in IS diffusion studies. From an analysis of several hundred citations in the IS diffusion literature, as few as 3 per cent of the total could be described as representing a common or shared knowledge in the field [8].…”

Section: Diffusion Theory In Information Systems Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diffusion – or delusion? Challenging an IS research tradition

McMaster

Wastell

2005

Information Technology &Amp; People

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Purpose -This paper seeks to critique the notion of diffusionism. Design/methodology/approach -The notion of diffusionism provides a general way of understanding innovation and human progress. It is pervasive within IS research and practice. Generically, diffusionism denotes an asymmetrical view of innovation as originating exclusively in "progressive" centres, from which it spreads through an essentially passive recipient community. This model is pernicious, as it privileges an élite few over the majority, with the innovator/imitator dichotomy presented as natural, moral and inevitable. This paper analyses the notion of diffusionism in information systems (IS). Findings -The failure to find any empirical support for diffusionism reveals both its mythical character and its ideological rationale in lending moral legitimacy to colonialistic projects. Empirical examples demonstrate both the ubiquity of the diffusionist mindset in IS research and practice, and its linkage to pseudo-colonial activities in the home domain. Originality/value -The paper concludes by arguing for a more critical approach within IS research on innovation, the use of richer, process-based theories, and greater partnership with practitioners in order to close the research/practice gap.

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Section: Diffusion Theory In Information Systems Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diffusion – or delusion? Challenging an IS research tradition

McMaster

Wastell

2005

Information Technology &Amp; People

Self Cite

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“…In the literature on health informatics, patient portal studies also focus on support for patients in navigating a provider-centered technology rather than equitable design early in the process. 41 Health equality is an end-of-pipeline practice—one that designers and medical professionals prefer not to talk about. In the interviews, most seemed comfortable only with referring to citizens who are excluded because of physical impairments, age, or literacy levels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In parallel with the academic success of these fields, in research on health informatics there is still more focus on individual patient barriers than on incorporating equitable approaches early in the portal life cycle. 41 …”

Section: Concluding Remarks: Mainstreaming Equitable Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent inequitable design and implementation of patient portals for users at the margins

Goedhart

Zuiderent‐Jerak

Woudstra

et al. 2021

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association

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Objective Diane Forsythe and other feminist scholars have long shown how system builders’ tacit assumptions lead to the systematic erasure of certain users from the design process. In spite of this phenomena being known in the health informatics literature for decades, recent research shows how patient portals and electronic patients health records continue to reproduce health inequalities in Western societies. To better understand this discrepancy between scholarly awareness of such inequities and mainstream design, this study unravels the (conceptual) assumptions and practices of designers and others responsible for portal implementation in the Netherlands and how citizens living in vulnerable circumstances are included in this process. Materials and methods We conducted semistructured interviews (n = 24) and questionnaires (n = 14) with portal designers, health professionals, and policy advisors. Results In daily design practices, equity is seen as an “end-of-the-pipeline” concern. Respondents identify health care professionals rather than patients as their main users. If patients are included in the design, this generally entails patients in privileged positions. The needs of citizens living in vulnerable circumstances are not prioritized in design processes. Developers legitimize their focus with reference to the innovation-theoretical approach of the Diffusion of Innovations. Discussion and conclusion Although feminist scholars have developed important understandings of the exclusion of citizens living in vulnerable circumstances from portal design, other academic efforts have profoundly shaped daily practices of portal development. Diane Forsythe would likely have taken up this discrepancy as a challenge by finding ways to translate these insights into mainstream systems design.

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“…Pro-innovation bias suggests that an innovation should be promptly adopted and diffused with no consideration of modifications (Rogers, 2003). Rogers identified pro-innovation bias as "the most serious shortcoming of diffusion research" (p. 106) and McMaster (2007) highlighted this bias as a concern in information systems research specifically.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adoption of Fad Diets through the Lens of the Diffusion of Innovations

Lee¹,

Worthy²

2021

Family & Consum Sci Res J

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Despite unconfirmed health benefits, consumers continue to adopt fad diets. Based on Rogers' (2003) diffusion of innovations theory, we investigate which attributes are related to adoption of three popular fad diets (ketogenic, paleolithic, and intermittent fasting) relative to the expert‐recommended Mediterranean diet. Binary logistic regression results using data from an online survey of 424 US adults revealed that a diet’s complexity was negatively associated with adoption, while a diet’s relative advantage and compatibility were not related. This study adds to the literature about pro‐innovation bias by presenting evidence that Rogers’ theory may not apply to fad diet adoption behavior.

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The Illusion of Diffusion in Information Systems Research

Cited by 12 publications

References 5 publications

Diffusion – or delusion? Challenging an IS research tradition

Diffusion – or delusion? Challenging an IS research tradition

Persistent inequitable design and implementation of patient portals for users at the margins

Adoption of Fad Diets through the Lens of the Diffusion of Innovations

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