新事物散播理論與台灣網際網路之發展

本文以台灣網路資訊中心(TWNIC)、教育部電算中心和蕃薯藤所搜集的台灣使用網際網路之統計資料驗證「新事物散播」(Diffusion of Innovation)理論。新事物散播是新事物或新觀念透過傳播管道，在某個社會環境裡尋求社會成員接受的一種過程，通常需要一段相當長的適應時間。結果顯示，台灣網際網路之成長與使用，符合新事物傳播理論的兩個通則，就是網路之成長速率呈S形，以及早期採用者的社經地位較高。

This paper is an application of the theory of “Diffusion of Innovation” to the statistical data gathered by Taiwan Network Information Center, the Ministry of Education Computer Center and Yam Search Engine. The term “Diffusion” is defined as the acceptance of a new innovation through certain channels over a period of time by certain social groups. The growth and use of the Internet in Taiwan coincides with this theory in two aspects, namely, the S-shaped curve of the growth of the Internet and the higher socio-economic status of its users.