Technology Adoption Model and Adopter Categories

Technology Adoption Model

The Technology Adoption Model, also known as the Innovation-Decision Process, describes the stages individuals or organizations go through when adopting a new technology or innovation.

Adopter Categories

1. Innovators (2.5% of the population)

• First to adopt new technology
• Risk-takers, willing to experiment with new ideas
• Often have a strong financial position, allowing them to invest in new technologies
• Influence the adoption of technology by others

2. Early Adopters (13.5% of the population)

• Opinion leaders, respected by their peers
• Adoption of new technology is driven by a desire to improve their social status
• Act as a bridge between innovators and the early majority
• Help to build a critical mass of adopters

3. Early Majority (34% of the population)

• Pragmatists, adopting new technology to solve practical problems
• Adopters are driven by a desire to improve their operations and efficiency
• Look for proven benefits and reliability before adopting
• Adoption is driven by social pressure and peer influence

4. Late Majority (34% of the population)

• Conservatives, adopting new technology due to social pressure or necessity
• Risk-averse, adopting only when they feel it is necessary to remain competitive
• Adoption is driven by the fear of being left behind
• Often dissatisfied with the adoption process

5. Laggards (16% of the population)

• Traditionalists, resistant to change and new technology
• Adoption is driven by a need to survive or comply with regulations
• Often have limited resources and may be skeptical of new technology
• May be influenced by peers or social pressure to adopt

Technology Adoption Model

• Describes the stages individuals or organizations go through when adopting a new technology or innovation.

Adopter Categories

Innovators

• Make up 2.5% of the population
• First to adopt new technology
• Risk-takers, willing to experiment with new ideas
• Often have a strong financial position, allowing them to invest in new technologies
• Influence the adoption of technology by others

Early Adopters

• Make up 13.5% of the population
• Opinion leaders, respected by their peers
• Adoption of new technology is driven by a desire to improve their social status
• Act as a bridge between innovators and the early majority
• Help to build a critical mass of adopters

Early Majority

• Make up 34% of the population
• Pragmatists, adopting new technology to solve practical problems
• Adopters are driven by a desire to improve their operations and efficiency
• Look for proven benefits and reliability before adopting
• Adoption is driven by social pressure and peer influence

Late Majority

• Make up 34% of the population
• Conservatives, adopting new technology due to social pressure or necessity
• Risk-averse, adopting only when they feel it is necessary to remain competitive
• Adoption is driven by the fear of being left behind
• Often dissatisfied with the adoption process

Laggards

• Make up 16% of the population
• Traditionalists, resistant to change and new technology
• Adoption is driven by a need to survive or comply with regulations
• Often have limited resources and may be skeptical of new technology
• May be influenced by peers or social pressure to adopt

Learn about the Technology Adoption Model, also known as the Innovation-Decision Process, and its adopter categories including innovators, early adopters, and more.