How do business ideas travel around the world? - An empirical study of the global diffusion of business ideas and models

Due to new information and communication technologies, increasing mobility and the stronger integration of different economic regions, knowledge is diffusing faster and faster across regional and national borders. This also applies to the start-up ideas that are at the beginning of the creation of a growth-orientated company. However, little is currently known about what these diffusion patterns look like.

Research question:

The aim of this Diplom thesis is to investigate how selected business ideas and models spread nationally and internationally through imitation. The focus of the research will be determined in consultation with the chair. Financial support is provided for empirical surveys.

Introductory literature:

• Rogers, E. M. (2003): Diffusion of Innovations, 5th edition, Free Press, New York et al.
• Gibbs, J./ Kraemer, K. L./ Dedrick, J. (2002): Environment and Policy Factors Shaping E Commerce Diffusion: A Cross-Country Comparison, The Information Society, 19, 5-18.
• Kumar, V./ Krishnan, T. V. (2002): Multinational Diffusion models: an Alternative Framework, in: Marketing Science, 21, 318-330.
• Rivera, M. A./ Rogers, M. E. (2006): Innovation Diffusion, Network Features, and Cultural communication Variables, in: Problems and Perspectives in Management, 4, 126-135.

Contact persons:

Jantje Halberstadt back