Virtual site visits for meeting and event planning: are US convention facilities ready?

PurposeThis study aims to explore virtual site visit adoption patterns of US convention facilities based on the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory. Additionally, it offers predictive models of virtual site visit tool adoption by applying probability distributions.Design/methodology/approachThe study used content analysis of 369 US convention facility websites. Data collected from the websites recorded the presence or absence of the following tools facilitating virtual site visits: photos, floor plans, videos, 360-photos, 360-tours and virtual reality (VR)-optimized tours. The website content analysis was followed by application of the DOI theory and predictive modeling.FindingsAccording to the DOI theory, the use of VR-optimized tours (4.34%) is still in the early adoption stage, followed by 360-degree tours (12.74%) and standard videos (17.89%) that have transitioned into the early majority stage of adoption and photos (72.09%) and floor plans (84.82%) that represent a late majority stage. Three predictive models with shifted Gompertz, Gumbel and Bass distributions forecasted that convention centers would achieve a 50% adoption rate of 360-degree tools (photos and tours) in 4.67, 4.2 and three years, respectively. The same models predicted a 50% adoption rate of 360-degree tours in 6.62, 5.81 and 4.42 years.Practical implicationsThe research indicates that most US convention facilities have not taken full advantage of their websites as a sales and marketing tool.Originality/valueThis study is the first comprehensive attempt to evaluate the adoption rate of VR and other technologies enabling virtual site visits by using content analysis of US convention facility websites. Additionally, it is the first attempt to apply probability distributions to predict technology adoption in the convention industry context.

Determinants of Islamic banking products and services adoption in Morocco: a conceptual framework

Purpose The Moroccan monetary authorities have implemented an Islamic banking system since 2017 as an alternative to the conventional system. However, the adoption of Islamic banking products and services is not widely accepted by customers. The purpose of this study is to propose a conceptual framework to understand the determinants of Islamic banking products and services adoption in Morocco. Design/methodology/approach This study develops a conceptual framework based on the diffusion of innovation theory (DOI). Thus, with reference to an extensive literature review done regarding adoption studies, the proposed research model integrates perceived attributes of innovation (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity and observability) suggested by the DOI theory. It also integrates other relevant variables that should be considered in the context of this study. These include knowledge, perceived risk and customer involvement. Findings The proposed conceptual framework demonstrates and justifies the relevance and the applicability of Rogers’ DOI to understand consumer decisions to adopt an innovation in general as well as Islamic banks in particular. Originality/value Several studies have examined the factors influencing the adoption of Islamic banks; however, those carried out in the Moroccan context remain very limited. The majority of these studies examine the intention to adopt in the future, whereas the present study seeks to establish a conceptual research model that examines the determinants of current adoption of Islamic banking in Morocco and the continuity of this adoption over time. The novelty of this study is to develop a modified model based on DOI theory which, according to the existing literature, has not yet been tested in the Moroccan context.

Examining the Adoption of Onlineto- Offline (O2O)

The online-to-offline (O2O) business model is rapidly growing among organizations, yet current knowledge on O2O adoption is predominantly individual focused, with little research on organizational adoption and the factors driving adoption. To address this gap, underpinned by the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory, this study collected qualitative data (24 semistructured interviews), which were analyzed using content analysis techniques. We found that offline service quality and social network prosperity are some of the factors driving O2O adoption. Surprisingly, inefficient offline marketing was also found to drive O2O adoption, which indicates new challenges posed by the growing online business environment. We found that not all factors can be categorically classified as facilitating or impeding adoption, as some factors (such as operational challenges and costs) could play dichotomous roles of facilitating or impeding in the context of peculiar circumstances. For example, we found cost to be an impeding factor, yet the results also indicated the benefits of cost reduction resulting from O2O adoption, thereby rendering cost a contentious issue. This study extends the application of DOI theory to the O2O adoption stage, and identifies a number of new factors associated with internal/external organizational characteristics, as postulated in the DOI. Managerial implications are discussed.

Financial market consequences of early adoption of international standards on auditing: international evidence

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effects of the early adoption of International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) on Financial Market Indicators (FMIs) from a diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory perspective. Design/methodology/approach Using panel data from 110 countries in a period that spans from 1995 to 2014, this study applies an ordinary least squares regression model to investigate the financial consequences of adopting ISAs. This analysis was supplemented with estimating a fixed-effects and two-stage least squares regression models to address any concerns regarding the possible existence of endogeneity problems. Findings This study reports three key findings. First, the authors find that early ISAs adoption has a negative effect on several financial market consequences, namely stock market integration, market capitalisation, market turnover, market return, market development, stock price volatility and stock trading volume. Second, using an alternative measure to the one that is proposed by DOI theory, the authors found that some financial indicators have been significantly improved after ISAs adoption, but only for listed firms that prepared their financial statements under International Financial Reporting Standards and audited by ISAs simultaneously. Finally, the financialindicators of European stock markets, however, have insignificantly shrank post the mandatory adoption of ISAs in 2006. Practical implications The empirical evidence raises questions about how ISAs were enforced and implemented. For example, countries that adopted ISAs at early stages may have been dominated mostly by recently established stock exchanges. This implies a crucial need to determine and apply the best type of auditing regime that can increase investors trust and enhance the credibility of stock markets information, which might ultimately advance the FMIs over time significantly. Originality/value To-date, studies investigating the impact of the adoption of ISAs on FMI from a DOI theory perspective are virtually non-existent. The study, therefore, seeks to contribute to the extant literature by examining the influence of ISAs adoption on a wide range of FMIs.

Using Diffusion of Innovations Theory to Encourage Workers to Make Healthy Food Choices and Engage in Physical Activity

Employers want workers to be as healthy as possible, to reduce absenteeism and to boost productivity. The challenge is getting employees to adopt healthy behaviors, a daunting task in our obesogenic society, which promotes a sedentary lifestyle and a diet high in saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. We are seeing an epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes, two preventable diseases that impair quality of life and increase healthcare costs. Rogers' Diffusions of Innovations (DOI) theory explains how and why people adopt new behaviors. Rogers observed how some workers were resistant to change. He categorized people according to how long it took them to adopt an innovation. He found that certain attributes were characteristic of early adopters, the opinion leaders that organizations need to win over to facilitate acceptance of an innovation. This chapter explores how DOI theory can be applied to the workplace to promote healthy behaviors.

Perceptions of adopters versus non-adopters of a patient portal: an application of diffusion of innovation theory

BackgroundPatient portals have emerged as an important tool through which patients can access online health information and engage in their health care. However, we know little about how patients perceive portals and whether patient perceptions might influence portal adoption.ObjectiveApply the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory to assess perceptions of adopters and non-adopters of a patient portal.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of adopters and non-adopters of the portal. Our survey consisted of perceived attributes from the DOI theory, socio-demographic characteristics and patient perceptions of technology adoption.ResultsThree factors representing perceived attributes from DOI theory accounted for 73% of the variance in the data: Factor 1 – Relative Advantage (27%); Factor 2 – Ease of Use (24%) and Factor 3 – Trialability (22%). Adopters perceived greater Relative Advantage [mean (SD)] = 3.8 (0.71) versus 3.2 (0.89), p < 0.001, Ease of Use = 4.1 (0.71) versus 3.3 (0.95), p < 0.001 and Trialability = 4.0 (0.57) versus 3.4 (0.99), p < 0.001 than non-adopters. In multivariate modelling, age [OR = 3.75, 95% CI: (2.17, 6.46), p < 0.001] and income [OR = 1.87, 95% CI: (1.17, 3.00), p < 0.01] predicted adoption of the portal. Among DOI factors, Relative advantage predicted adoption of the portal [OR = 1.48, 95% CI: (1.03, 2.11), p < 0.05].ConclusionPatients will adopt a patient portal if they perceive it to offer a relative advantage over existing practices such as telephoning or visiting the doctor’s office. Organisations seeking to increase the adoption of patient portals should implement strategies to promote the relative advantage of portals as, for example, through posters in waiting and exam rooms. A digital divide in the adoption of patient portals may exist with respect to age and income.

Acceptance of Islamic banking as innovation: a case of Pakistan

Purpose This study aims to investigate the factors that determine the customer adoption of Islamic banking in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach This paper aims to use a sample of 540 Islamic bank customers located in the biggest city of Pakistan (Karachi). This study is based on the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory and analyzed the role of five attributes (compatibility, relative advantage, complexity, observability and trialability) along with the consumer awareness about the customer adoption of Islamic banking. Additionally, the present research also considers Islamic banking as a new idea (innovation) in Pakistan under the framework of DOI theoretical assumptions. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are applied to the sample data. The theoretical framework is then tested using structural equation modeling. Findings The findings of the study revealed that all five attributes of the DOI theory are positively and significantly related to the customer adoption of Islamic banking. The customer awareness also proved its importance in the hypothesized model by representing a positive and significant relationship. Originality/value The present study provides a useful guideline for the Islamic bank managers and the academicians to better understand the customer adoption of Islamic banking.

Bank adoption of mobile banking: stakeholder perspective

Purpose Bank adoption of mobile banking globally remains sporadic. Factors influencing this remain under researched. The purpose of this paper is to explore drivers and barriers of bank adoption of mobile banking from a stakeholder perspective. Design/methodology/approach Using diffusion of innovation (DOI), a mixed method study was conducted. Data were collected using blogging to inform a two-round modified Delphi study. The opinion of 72 members from six stakeholder industries was sought. Findings The results indicate that DOI theory is still applicable within mobile environments in helping to understand the diffusion of mobile banking. Key drivers of bank adoption were global mobile phone penetration, competitive advantage, customer convenience, strategic importance, customer demand, low perceived risk/security concerns and stakeholder partnerships. Findings suggest low levels of customer demand and lack of return on investment (ROI) are key barriers for banks. The findings have strategic implications for industry players highlighting the importance of mobile banking to maintain market share and customer relations. These influences will inform successful mobile banking strategies by raising awareness of major barriers. Originality/value This study concentrates on a bank/stakeholder perspective. It confirms that DOI theory is still applicable within mobile environments. It extends understanding of bank adoption providing useful information for all stakeholders. It has implications for banks regarding multi-channel banking and the motivators and challenges influencing its adoption.

Using Diffusion of Innovations Theory to Encourage Workers to Make Healthy Food Choices and Engage in Physical Activity

Employers want workers to be as healthy as possible, to reduce absenteeism and to boost productivity. The challenge is getting employees to adopt healthy behaviors, a daunting task in our obesogenic society, which promotes a sedentary lifestyle and a diet high in saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. We are seeing an epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes, two preventable diseases that impair quality of life and increase healthcare costs. Rogers' Diffusions of Innovations (DOI) theory explains how and why people adopt new behaviors. Rogers observed how some workers were resistant to change. He categorized people according to how long it took them to adopt an innovation. He found that certain attributes were characteristic of early adopters, the opinion leaders that organizations need to win over to facilitate acceptance of an innovation. This chapter explores how DOI theory can be applied to the workplace to promote healthy behaviors.