Resource management relies heavily on knowledge about new technologies and public policy innovations. Understanding how knowledge spreads or disseminates is important for those who want to influence developments around the world.

First note that we have to distinguish between hearing about something and learning something that influences our decisions. Diffusion theory points out that to influence how decisions are made there are five important factors to consider, found in Rogers (1995).

1. The innovation should be useful, profitable, or welfare enhancing.

2. Information about the innovation should not be too complex (theory tends to be a weak argument by itself).

3. It is important to be able to observe how innovations work (successful in practice is a strong argument).

4. One should be able to try out the innovation under the conditions it will be used.

5. The innovation should be compatible with the way things are done traditionally.

Diffusion implies that the use of a new technology spreads from early innovators to others who start using the new technology and in turn inspires even more potential users to do the same. The word technology represents all kinds of inventions: new equipment, new production processes, new plant varieties, new ways to prevent runoff and leaching, new pesticides, new management strategies, and new public policies. Hence, there are many applications of the diffusion model related to natural resources management. Important here is to understand the difference between knowing about a technology and learning enough to start using it (innovating). The below ILE will help you see the difference.

Reference:

E. M. Rogers: "Diffusion of innovations" Publisher: The Free Press 1995 Fourth edition.

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