Final answer:
The process through which individuals who have adopted an innovation influence others is called the diffusion network. This concept is outlined in Everett Rogers' model of the diffusion of innovations and is shown in the technology adoption lifecycle. Word-of-mouth, cultural transmission, and social media greatly facilitate this diffusion process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process through which individuals who have adopted innovation influence others is called the diffusion network. This concept aligns with the work of sociologist Everett Rogers, who developed the model of the diffusion of innovations. The diffusion network is a part of that model, depicting how an innovation spreads through various channels over time among the members of a social system.
In the Rogers model, the adoption of innovation typically moves from 'early adopters' to a 'late majority', with the technology adoption lifecycle graph illustrating this progression. As people adopt a new idea or product, they influence others around them, contributing to the further spread of that innovation. This can include anything from new technology to social practices or even linguistic changes.
Factors such as word-of-mouth, cultural transmission, and social media contribute significantly to this process, enabling a rapid and widespread diffusion of new concepts or products.