The role of opinion leaders in the diffusion of new knowledge: the case of integrated pest management

By: Contributor(s): Material type: TextTextSeries: Policy Research Working Paper, no. 3916Publication details: Washington, D. C. World Bank 2006 Description: 34 pSubject(s): DDC classification:
  • 632.7
Summary: The paper reviews the literature on the characteristics and impact of opinion leaders on the diffusion of new knowledge, concluding that there is no clear evidence on whether opinion leaders are more effective if they are similar in socioeconomic attributes to the other farmers rather than superior to would be followers. A multivariate analysis of the changes in integrated pest management knowledge in Indonesia among follower farmers over the period 1991-98 indicates that opinion leaders who are superior to followers, but not excessively so, are more effective in transmitting knowledge. Excessive socioeconomic distance is shown to reduce the effectiveness of diffusion. The paper then derives operational implications of the empirical results. -World Bank web site.
List(s) this item appears in: World Bank Working Paper Series
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Books Vikram Sarabhai Library Rack 34-A / Slot 1778 (2nd Floor, East Wing) General Stacks 632.7 F3R6 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available 162463

Includes bibliographical references.

The paper reviews the literature on the characteristics and impact of opinion leaders on the diffusion of new knowledge, concluding that there is no clear evidence on whether opinion leaders are more effective if they are similar in socioeconomic attributes to the other farmers rather than superior to would be followers. A multivariate analysis of the changes in integrated pest management knowledge in Indonesia among follower farmers over the period 1991-98 indicates that opinion leaders who are superior to followers, but not excessively so, are more effective in transmitting knowledge. Excessive socioeconomic distance is shown to reduce the effectiveness of diffusion. The paper then derives operational implications of the empirical results. -World Bank web site.

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