The interplay of social interaction, individual characteristics and external influence in diffusion of innovation processes: An empirical test in medical settings

Abstract

This paper explores mechanisms and drivers of social learning in adoption of uncertain innovations. To this purpose, we use an original dataset of about 900 hospital physicians, involved in prescribing a new drug. Then, we specify an ERG or p* model in order to verify the tendency to exploit different formal and informal relationships with colleagues, providing information or opinions on the new product. We moreover control for the effect of alternative sources of information, i.e. marketing pressure, and antecedents of innovation, i.e. heterogeneity in individual attitude toward new products, on the probability of sending ties.