사회 네트워크 상의 기술 확산 경쟁에서 확산 시작 지점의 중심성에 따른 확산 경쟁의 결과

Diffusion of innovation is the process in which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among the members of a social system. The literatures have emphasized the importance of interpersonal network influences on individuals in convincing them to adopt innovations and thereby promoting its diffusion. In particular, the behavior of opinion leaders who lead in influencing others’ opinion is important in determining the rate of adoption of innovation in a system. Centrality has been recognized as a good indicator that quantifies a node’s influences on others in a given network. However, recent studies have questioned its relevance on various different types of diffusion processes. In this regard, this study aims at examining the effect of a node exhibiting high centrality on expediting diffusion of innovations. In particular, we considered the situation where two innovations compete with each other to be adopted by potential adopters who are personally connected with each other. In order to analyze this competitive diffusion process, we developed a simulation model and conducted regression analyses on the outcomes of the simulations performed. The results suggest that the effect of a node with high centrality can be substantially reduced depending upon the type of a network structure or the adoption thresholds of potential adopters in a network.