Citation

Burt RS. Soc. Sci. Res. 1973; 2(2): 125-144.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1973, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0049-089X(73)90015-X

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Answers were sought to two theoretical questions which are fundamental to our further understanding of the impact of social integration on the diffusion process: (1) Is there a differential influence exercised by social integration on participation in the diffusion process?, and (2) Is such influence, if found, significant above that exerted by other important diffusion relevant variables?

An analysis of data gathered in El Salvador demonstrated that there are two distinguishable social networks operating in the diffusion process, one concerned with the transfer of information, the other concerned with the transfer of social influence. The differential impact of these two dimensions of social integration remained significant even after controlling for influence from the demographic and innovation related characteristics of the potential adopters.