INNOVATION CHARACTERISTICS

INNOVATION AND IT’S CHARACTERISTICS

BY SHILLA FLORA .M. BAPRM 42669 (20^th May)

Well in simple language the word innovation simply meaning that it a new idea or behavior with the aim of bringing new idea or behavior or solution within the society. The characteristics of new media or innovation are determined through the previewing of the theory which goes with the name ‘Diffusion of innovation theory’ by Everett Rogers, it attempts identify and explain some factors that lead many people and groups adopting innovations (new ideas and technologies). Individual do not automatically adopt new products rather than they make a conscious decision on whether to use the product or not. Diffusion of Innovation theory identifies the following five characteristics that determine people’s use of innovation;

·         New idea must carry in relative advantage; that means potential user needs to see how an innovation improves their current situation. Improvements can be in one or many of these areas such as better services, empowerment of users, increased longevity, and increased productivity, saving of space or storage, saving of money, saving of time and reduces user efforts. For example the introduction of smart phones with high speed of network it actually saves time in things like mobility of an individual in gaining some of news which are of relative advantage to the person. 

·         New idea must be compatibility; this refers to the level of compatibility that an innovation has with an individual as they assimilate it with their lives. Potential adopter need to know that your innovation will be compatible with their life and lifestyle that if an innovation will requires a huge life style change or if the user must acquire additional products to make your innovation works, then it more likely to fail. Innovation meets with greatest success when the user is able to seamlessly adopt them or when they replace an exciting idea for better.

·         Complexity and Simplicity; this refers to how difficult it is for adopters to learn to use an innovation. Complexity slows down the gears of progress as in the more the complexity of an innovation the more difficult it will be for potential adopters to incorporate it into their lives. Since many adopters do not budget much time to learn about how to incorporate with the new idea hence an innovator he/she is advised to make the idea simple and easy to incorporate.

·         Trial ability; this describe how easily potential adopters can explore your innovation. It one characteristic that can facilitating your adoption sine the potential users want to see what your innovation can do and give it a test to run before commit themselves in it. Potential users can see for themselves what life might be like once they adopt the products.

·         Observability; refer to the extent to which the results or benefits of using an innovation are visible to the potential adopters. Observability extends beyond having earlier adopters use an innovation in view of later adopters. Potential adopters of all types must clearly see the benefit of adopting an innovation and using it.