NEEDED RESEARCH ON ADOPTION MODELS¹

Abstract

Summary Needed Research on Adoption Models This paper outlines the development and present conventional form of the models of adoption. The five stage model of awareness, information, evaluation, trial and adoption, has been logically derived from assumptions about the process by which the human personality develops and how man responds to stimuli received: man is a telic being, an acting being and an organising being. The consequent operational model of adoption is also, for heuristic purposes, presented in five stages although it should not be concluded that the actual processes duplicate this. After dealing with characteristics of practices which affect their adoption, the paper concludes by considering the limitations of the model, and consequently suggesting required research. In particular, the model is too general for universal application, while its emphasis on a process leading to adoption has obscured the significance of optimum adoption and the factors related thereto. More research is also required concerning the detailed nature of each stage.