• Welcome To The Diffusion Research Institute

    Our mission is to extend and enhance the influential work of Everett Rogers. The goal of The Diffusion Research Institute is to discover, develop, and disseminate actionable, prescriptive methods for accelerating the adoption of meaningful innovations.

    READ MORE
  • Psychographic Profile Analysis

    We conduct in-depth research that solves problems caused by human resistance to the diffusion of new ideas, products, technologies and methods.

    READ MORE
  • Innovation-Adoption Theories and Models

    The purpose of the Diffusion Research Institute’s activities is to develop actionable diffusion-based models and methods that guide business leaders in their most critical growth and innovation decisions.

    READ MORE
resisting change

People resist innovations that require new learning

Fear of failure, worries about looking stupid, or preferences for the status quo, hold many people back from learning about new innovations.

read more
innovation theater

Technology adoption is glamorized

While technology adoption may seem pervasive, a vast number of businesses still rely on simple PCs, pen and paper to get work done.

read more
Diffusion of innovations

It's not a chasm, it's a continuum

Sociologist Everett M. Rogers was clear when he stated, “Past research shows no support for this claim of a chasm between certain adopter categories."

read more
Diffusion of diffusion

Models built upon diffusion of innovations

Since it was first published in 1962, Diffusion of Innovations has formed the foundation of several popular models and frameworks.

read more

Diffusion Research Institute Progress

38
Research Studies
4.8
Million USD Funds Committed
17
Research Members

About Diffusion Research Institute

The Diffusion Research Institute is a research and community project inspired by the late Professor Everett M. Rogers (1931-2004). Professor Rogers is regarded the world’s most influential thinker on innovation-adoption and diffusion.

The purpose of The Institute’s research activities is to sift through the many sources of information and advice available to identify theories and frameworks that can serve as a reliable guide for business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Read More

Play Video about Everett Rogers Journey

Watch Everett Rogers review and analyze the evolution of the landmark model he created called Diffusion of Innovations

About Diffusion Research

The Diffusion Research Institute conducts independent, in-depth research that solves problems related to the slow adoption of new ideas, products, technologies and methods.

We are a nonprofit organization devoted to the development of pragmatic and actionable methods that address the issue called innovation resistance. DRI’s commitment to providing unbiased research is rooted in the individual independence of its scholars. Therefore, the Institute does not take positions on specific issues.

Most formal research is only descriptive in nature, identifying the factors that correlate with success rather than those that cause it. The Institute aims to re-invigorate innovation management excellence by following a proven process for building sound theory, refining it through collaboration with practitioners, and then distributing it to a broad audience.

View Recent Publications

Origins of the Diffusion Paradigm

Walter Robertson

Chasm Theory Development: The Complete History

DRI Staff

Gestalt Reinvention: A Model for Accelerating Innovation-Adoption

Article by Warren Schirtzinger [republished with permission]

10 Methods to Accelerate the Adoption of a New Product

Walter Robertson
Everett M Rogers

Dr. Everett M. Rogers

Biography

Everett M. "Ev" Rogers (March 6, 1931 – October 21, 2004) is acknowledged as the pre-eminent authority on how innovations diffuse, or spread, in an economic or social system. His writings on the diffusion of innovations established the term "early adopter" and normalized the importance of peer-to-peer comm

  1. 1952

    B.S. in Agriculture

    Iowa State University
  2. 1955

    M.S. in Rural Sociology

    Iowa State University
  3. 1957

    Ph.D in Rural Sociology

    Iowa State University