Dial Access Retrieval and the Adoption Process

A Study on the Success and Failures of a Technological Innovation

Abstract

In an attempt to define effective procedures for the
adoption of technological innovations, the author
conducted a study of the successes and failures of dial
access retrieval systems. Because of the interesting and
controversial history of this medium, the study sought to
determine why some schools chose this medium, how it was
utilized and modified, and why it failed in some instances.
The survey instrument used in this study was sent to schools
using their systems and to schools where the systems had
been discarded. The 68% rate of return did produce
valuable data for a multiple regression analysis.