Actors and factors of the adoption process

Abstract

In previous chapters the case study materials have been used to identify the main features of the adoption process, leading to the Innovation Triangle and a testing of two gen eral hypotheses on the adoption behaviour of SMEs. This chapter goes deeper into the actors and factors of the adoption process, basing itself on a text analysis of the 100 interviews conducted within the framework of the case studies. This chapter follows its own approach by abstracting from specific contexts created by distinguishable technologies, sectors or countries. It is assumed that phenomena arising from a particular adoption process may have a broader meaning. It is up to the reader (preferably with the previous chapters in his or her mind) to assess the broader significance of what has been observed.