Challenges and Opportunities for Innovation in the Public Works ...

exist, offer explanations of these differences.
2. Poor applicability and relevance of information. In order to make a sound decision,
individuals need information that is applicable and relevant to their situation. Data from
a neighboring state or even across the county may be judged as not meeting local conditions.
Until this data is adapted and made available relative to local situations, the individual will
remain unwilling to adopt.
Generate and distribute relevant information on a local basis.
3. Conflicts between current goals and the new technolo . New technologies do not always
easily fit into the existing infrastructure or support systems. In these cases the general
expectation is that the adopting unit will adapt their situation in order to meet the adoption
requirements of the new technology. The individual may be unwilling if it is felt that too
much adaptation is required for adoption.
Development of flexible new technologies capable of being altered to meet unique
local conditions.
4. Ignorance on the part of the individual or promoter of the technology. Ignorance is not
a pejorative term. Instead, it implies a situation where an individual has not had the
opportunity to learn. This ignorance could be surrounding the basic economic and operating
facts of a new technology, or for promoters of new technologies it could be a lack of
sensitivity to the basic needs of a potential adopter. Regardless of the reason, the outcome
of this ignorance is the same; the individual will remain unwilling to adopt.
Determine the actual, not assumed, assistance needs and knowledge levels of
potential adopters relative to those factors critical to adoption. Then design
education and assistance programs based on individual needs, not agency or
business expertise.
5. Practice is inappropriate for the setting. Another situation is where the individual is
expected to adopt a new technology that may be deemed inappropriate for the current
infrastructure. Some individuals recognizing this incompatibility remain unwilling to adopt.
Specify the applicability of each new technology, or design the technology to be
more adaptable to different institutional settings.
6. Practice increases uncertainty or risk of negative outcomes. A new technology may
increase the probability of a negative outcome in many ways. The complexity of a system,
importance of the timeliness of operations, and the interdependence of inputs can all
increase perceived or real uncertainty and risk. Some individuals are simply unwilling to
make a major decision under conditions of uncertainty, or where there is significant risk.
Uncertainty can be addressed in two basic ways: either increase information so
probabilistic outcomes can be calculated, or subsidize the individual to take a
risk
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