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Innovation from a Distance: a Study of Diffusion in a Regional University

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Innovation from a Distance: a Study of Diffusion in a Regional University University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection 2017+ University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2017 Innovation from a distance: a study of diffusion in a regional university Valentine Albert Robert Hazelman University of Wollongong Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses1 University of Wollongong Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorise you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this work may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be exercised, without the permission of the author. Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may be a copyright infringement. A court may impose penalties and award damages in relation to offences and infringements relating to copyright material. Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form. Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong. Recommended Citation Hazelman, Valentine Albert Robert, Innovation from a distance: a study of diffusion in a regional university, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, School of Education, University of Wollongong, 2017. https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses1/45 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] Innovation from a distance: a study of diffusion in a regional university A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree Doctor of Philosophy from by Valentine Albert Robert Hazelman BBus PGCert MEdTech, S. Qld Faculty of Social Sciences School of Education 2017 Contents Page Abstract xii Declaration xiv Acknowledgements xv List of tables xvi List of figures and charts xix Publications xx Chapter 1 Introducing the study 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Background to the study 2 1.3 The case university 4 1.4 Research strategy 5 1.5 Purpose of the study 6 1.5.1 Research questions 6 1.6 Theoretical framework 6 1.7 Significance of the study 8 1.8 Limitations of the study 9 1.9 Structure of the thesis 10 1.10 Definitions 11 Chapter 2 Literature review 14 2.1 Introduction 14 2.2. The concept of innovation 15 2.3 Diffusion theories 16 2.3.1 General diffusion theory 17 2.3.2 Instructional diffusion theory 17 2.4 The notion of change 18 2.5 Theoretical framework – Rogers’ diffusion of innovations 20 2.5.1 Elements of diffusion 20 2.5.1.1 Innovation 20 ii Newness 20 Attributes of innovation 21 2.5.1.2 Communication channels 24 Homophily and heterophily 25 2.5.1.3 Time 26 Innovation-decision process 26 Adopter categories 28 Rate of adoption 29 2.5.1.4 Social system 30 Structure 30 Opinion leadership 31 Innovation decisions 31 2.6 Limitations of diffusion research 33 2.7 Broader contextual considerations 35 2.7.1 Intercultural communication 36 2.7.2 Time and space in culture 38 2.7.3 Organisational infrastructure in higher education 43 2.7.4 Geography and diffusion 45 2.7.5 Institutional memory 48 2.8 Diffusion studies in ICTs 48 2.8.1 Innovation adoption at the organisational level 49 2.8.2 Innovation adoption at the individual level 51 2.9 E-learning in higher education 55 2.9.1 Learning management systems 58 2.10 Summary 60 Chapter 3 Background to the case university 61 3.1 Introduction 61 3.2 A definition of ‘regional’ 62 3.3 Cultural diversity 66 3.4 The University of the South Pacific (USP) 66 3.4.1 USP’s governance structure 67 iii 3.4.2 USP’s staffing structure 69 3.5 Profile of the USP region 69 3.5.1 Campuses in Melanesia 69 3.5.2 Campuses in Micronesia 70 3.5.3 Campuses in Polynesia 71 3.6 Distance education at USP 73 3.6.1 Communication issues in distance education at USP 74 3.6.2 USPNet 75 3.7 Socio-economic, environmental and political issues 77 3.8 Higher education in the USP region 78 3.9 ICT challenges in the USP region 79 3.10 Learning management systems at USP 80 3.11 Summary 81 Chapter 4 Methodology 82 4.1 Introduction 82 4.1.1 The researcher in context 85 4.2 Research philosophy 85 4.2.1 A pragmatic approach 86 4.3 Research methodology 88 4.3.1 Case study 88 4.3.2 Retrospective study 89 4.3.3 Limitations of case study 90 4.4 Research design 91 4.4.1 Structure of the study 91 4.4.2 Purposive sample 92 4.4.3 Validity and reliability 93 4.5 Phase 1 94 4.5.1 Gatekeepers 95 4.5.2 Ethics 95 4.5.3 Document analysis 96 4.5.4 Questionnaire development 99 iv 4.5.5 Pilot 101 4.6 Phase 2 102 4.6.1 Interview 102 4.7 Data collection 103 4.7.1 Data collection overview 103 4.8 Data analysis strategy 104 4.9 Organisation of findings 106 4.10 Summary 106 Chapter 5 Findings part 1 – the regional campuses 108 5.1 Introduction 108 5.2 The regional campuses 109 5.2.1 Participants’ profile 109 Responses from campuses in Melanesia 110 Responses from campuses in Micronesia 110 Responses from campuses in Polynesia 111 Level of education for campuses in Melanesia 112 Level of education for campuses in Micronesia 112 Level of education for campuses in Polynesia 113 Years of service at campuses in Melanesia 114 Years of service at campuses in Micronesia 115 Years of service at campuses in Polynesia 116 Position at campuses in Melanesia 119 Position at campuses in Micronesia 120 Position at campuses in Polynesia 121 Computer use at campuses in Melanesia 122 Computer use at campuses in Micronesia 124 Computer use at campuses in Polynesia 126 Preference for method of learning new technology by campuses in Melanesia 128 Preference for method of learning new technology by campuses in Micronesia 128 Preference for method of learning new technology by campuses in Polynesia 129 v 5.2.2 The elements of diffusion 131 5.2.2.1 The innovation 131 Prior use of learning management systems and awareness of Moodle at campuses in Melanesia 131 Prior use of learning management systems and awareness of Moodle at campuses in Micronesia 132 Prior use of learning management systems and awareness of Moodle at campuses in Polynesia 133 Attributes of innovation for campuses in Melanesia 134 Attributes of innovation for campuses in Micronesia 135 Attributes of innovation for campuses in Polynesia 136 5.2.2.2 Communication channels 137 First awareness of Moodle via communication channels at campuses in Melanesia 138 First awareness of Moodle via communication channels at campuses in Micronesia 138 First awareness of Moodle via communication channels at campuses in Polynesia 139 Preference of communication medium at campuses in Melanesia 141 Preference of communication medium at campuses in Micronesia 141 Preference of communication medium at campuses in Polynesia 142 Effectiveness and understandability of communication at campuses in Melanesia 143 Effectiveness and understandability of communication at campuses in Micronesia 145 Effectiveness and understandability of communication at campuses in Polynesia 146 5.2.2.3 Time 148 Personal use of new technologies by staff members at campuses in Melanesia 149 Personal use of new technologies by staff members at campuses in Micronesia 149 Personal use of new technologies by staff members at campuses in Polynesia 150 Staff uptake of new technology at campuses in Melanesia 152 vi Uptake of new technology at campuses in Melanesia compared to other campuses 153 Staff uptake of new technology at campuses in Micronesia 154 Uptake of new technology at campuses in Micronesia compared to other campuses 155 Staff uptake of new technology at campuses in Polynesia 156 Uptake of new technology at campuses in Polynesia compared to other campuses 157 5.2.2.4 The social system 160 Awareness of the strategic plan at campuses in Melanesia 160 Awareness of the strategic plan at campuses in Micronesia 162 Awareness of the strategic plan at campuses in Polynesia 162 Developments at campuses in Melanesia 164 Developments at campuses in Micronesia 165 Developments at campuses in Polynesia 166 Quality of IT facilities and adequacy of resources to support new technology at campuses in Melanesia 167 Quality of IT facilities and adequacy of resources to support new technology at campuses in Micronesia 169 Quality of IT facilities and adequacy of resources to support new technology at campuses in Polynesia 170 Knowledge of other regional campuses by staff members at campuses in Melanesia 172 Knowledge of other regional campuses by staff members at campuses in Micronesia 172 Knowledge of other regional campuses by staff members at campuses in Polynesia 173 Additional qualitative responses from the questionnaire 175 Challenges of using new technology 175 Technological innovations at USP 177 5.3 Summary 180 Chapter 6 Findings part 2 – the central campus 181 6.1 Introduction 181 6.2 Group 1: Teaching staff 181 6.2.1 Participants’ profile 182 Computer use 182 vii Preference for method of learning new technology 184 6.2.2 The elements of diffusion 184 6.2.2.1 The innovation 184 Prior use of learning management systems and awareness of Moodle 184 Attributes of innovation 186 6.2.2.2 Communication channels 187 First
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