Fisheries Extension Education (2+1) copy 1

4.4.1.1 Innovation

a) Innovation : An innovation is an idea, practice or object perceived as new by an individual or others in a social system.

Eg. (i) New methods of management decisions – soil testing; periodical monitoring of water quality parameters

(ii) New farming systems

Innovation means perceived newness and this perceived newness of an for an individual determines his / her reaction to it. The newness may be expressed in terms of knowledge, persuasion or a decision to adopt.

Characteristics or perceived attributes of innovations

(i) Relative advantage : It is the degree to which an innovation is perceived as being better than the idea it supersedes. The degree of relative advantage may he measured in economic terms, but social prestige, convenience and satisfaction are also important factors. Greater the perceived relative advantage of an innovation, the more rapid its rate of adoption by the audience.

(ii) Compatibility : It is the degree to which an innovation is perceived as being consistent with the existing values, past experiences and needs of potential adopters. It is positively correlated to the rate of adoption.

(iii) Complexity : It is the degree to which an innovation is perceived as difficult to understand and use. New ideas that are simple to understand will be adopted more rapidly than innovations that require the adopter to develop new skills and understandings.

(iv) Trialability : It is the degree to which an innovation may be experimented within a limited basis. Trialable innovations or innovations that can be experimented on a smale scale have better chances for adopation. 

(v) Observability : It is the degree to which the results of an innovation are visible to others.