Social capital and the diffusion of learning management systems: A case study

The diffusion and adoption process of a learning management system (LMS) athigher education institutes faces several obstacles; some of which are unique tocontexts while others are shared experiences. This diffusion case study compares theadoption process of the LMS Blackboard at two universities, Texas A&M Universityand Monash University in Australia, investigating the factors which impacted theadoption of the innovation at each context as well as the extent to which socialcapital influenced the diffusion process. The study specifically examined the differentadopters involved, the objections raised, the barriers encountered, and the significantfactors either resulting in the success or the failure of the innovation, employing asocial capital-infused theoretical framework of diffusion within organizations outlinedby Frank, Zhao, and Borman (Sociol Educ 77:148-171, 2004). Primary and secondarydata were analyzed and examined from three peer-reviewed, empirical articles forcomparison within the study. Findings highlighted strong alignment with Rogers'(Diffusion of innovations, 2003)diffusion of innovations theory as well as the importance of social capital maintainedby Frank and colleagues (Sociol Educ 77:148-171, 2004). Though describing differentadoption processes and factors, each context supported the universal idea behinddiffusion theory that members of a social system communicate an innovationthrough social channels over time and that innovators and early adopters play a vitalrole in this process (Rogers, Diffusion of innovations, 2003). As higher educationinstitutes advance further into the twenty-first century and adopt more innovationswithin their learning frameworks and systems, this diffusion case study stresses theimportance of understanding diffusion theory, having an in-depth knowledge of thestakeholders involved in the adoption process, and creating and implementing ameticulous diffusion plan to ensure a successful diffusion and adoption process.