Population ecology, institutional and network perspectives on the diffusion of innovation: Melding theoretical constructs

This research makes use of logistic, institutional, and network descriptions of the spread of innovation. The innovation in this case is the spread of block scheduling throughout the state of Georgia. This paper will analyze the spread of innovation from the three theories of Population Ecology Theory, Institutional Theory, and Network Theory. This work will analyze, through this multi-faceted paradigm lens, the diffusion of innovation within a social system, the understanding of population, social, and interactive dynamics of such diffusion, and how different perspectives of social behavior can be melded to more thoroughly explain a given social phenomenon.; Population Ecology Theory, which is based on Darwinian logic, can support the argument that these innovations represent a transition period in education similar to the movement that led to the Horace Mann Common School. According to Population Ecology Theory, the trend of public schools moving to block scheduling could be a period of evolution in education. If environmental influences accept block scheduling then a new period of stasis would follow. This transition in education may lead to a new status for public education in the state of Georgia. Block scheduling might successfully occupy and maintain an environmental niche that can be described by the concept of macrocultures or networks of interdependency. The spread of this innovation through the various possible macrocultures can be modeled using the logistic curve.; Institutional Theory, the second method of examining this question, could suggest that the environmental influences such as legislation, parents, and financial needs have dictated what is legitimate in a quality school. This theory would propose that early adopters of an innovation do so for effectiveness while late adopters do so for legitimacy. Bandwagon effects can be used to discuss the surge of adopters seeking legitimacy. The logistic curve can possibly be analyzed to pinpoint the beginning and quite possibly the end of the bandwagon effect.; Finally, Network Theory could suggest that social ties are a factor in networks. Organizations are influenced by other organizations with which they have close and direct relationships. It is well documented that network connectedness can facilitate the spread of innovations. Social cohesion can result in a pressure to conform to current accepted practices or to appear normal. According to this theory, it is entirely plausible that the public schools that adopted this innovation were somehow connected to one another through various agencies. The probability that a school has adopted an innovation is based on the ratio of the number of organizations that have adopted to the total number of organizations. This statement is indicative of the equation that was integrated with the result of the logistic curve.