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Modeling Scenario

1-022-SpreadOfTechnologies-ModelingScenario

Author(s): Brian Winkel

SIMIODE - Systemic Initiative for Modeling Investigations and Opportunities with Differential Equations

Keywords: data analysis technology logistic spread innovation

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Abstract

Resource Image We examine plots on the spread of technologies and ask students to estimate and extract data from the plots and then model several of these spread of technologies phenomena with a logistic differential equation model.

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Description

Recent work on diffusion has focused on trying to explain the prevalence of the S-shaped diffusion curve - the epidemic model. The epidemic model considers information to be the key to diffusion.

As more people adopt the technology, information of it spreads quickly, leading to a period of rapid adoption. The epidemic model models technology as a ``contagious disease.''

Adoption occurs as potential adopters learn about the new technology.

Adoption is slow at first, as few people (or firms) know about the technology.

The more people ``infected'' (that is, those that have adopted), the more likely others will also be ``infected.'' Thus, as information spreads, a period of rapid adoption follows.

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Authors

Author(s): Brian Winkel

SIMIODE - Systemic Initiative for Modeling Investigations and Opportunities with Differential Equations

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