Introduction
The concept behind diffusion of innovation can be accessed as the spread of knowledge based ideas from one community in an institution to another. In this case, our focus will be on diffusion of innovation in relation to production in a particular firm with a specific product to be discussed in deep details. The principle behind this type of innovation can only be applied within production companies. In addition to this form of diffusion of innovation, it reveals most processes involved are in pure and stark formation.
The concept behind diffusion of innovation has some significance which can be highlighted and given some weight. Diffusion of innovation plays an important role in ensuring that industrial revolution between companies is perfected. Moreover, it implies employment of complex techniques that are relatively hard to develop or make a duplicate of the same. It entails accumulation of useful skills saturated with knowledge. In this case, the main target of this form of product invented is the xero washing machine developed by Professor Stephen from Leads University of the school of Design (Shashi, 2013). He employed the knowledge of nylon and polymerization to come up with this cleaning system that has reduced the cost of cleaning clothes dramatically.
The main distributor of Xerox washing machines is the Xerox limited situated in and started in the United Kingdom. This machine was first introduced into the market back in 2012. The nylon polymers are released into the main compartment of the machine where laundry is cleaned away. The nylon beads have the ability to absorb the dirt and stains. This product applies an advanced technology that uses only 10% of the total volume of water compared to the ordinary conventional washing machines. In addition to this, it is designed to save up to 25% of the cost needed in operating processes.
Direct competitors
Traditional dryers
The direct competitors include the airs washers and the traditional dryers. These competitors have huge shares in the market field when compared to the xeros washing machines. In addition to this, it uses relatively mature technology with well-established directions and manufacturing processes (Tapan, 2010). The presence of this stability within the manufacturing factory has led to its rapid increase in the familiarity within the users hence becoming a threat to the newly developed xero washing machine. The nature of the people as being retrogressive can also be another cause of the unfamiliarity of the xero washing machine in the world market. However, despite this great completion from the washers, it has some few weaknesses that it may disqualify it from being a perfect competitor of the same. These limitations include the increased level in the energy consumption within a very short time.
Air washers
The air washers can be used to clean delicate clothes and can be used in cases of recycled water. This has given Xero Company a direct competition hence affecting its performance to some extent. However the air washers also have some limitations that weaken it to be a complete competitor (Shashi, 2013). The disadvantages may include the application of ozone layer technology which implies pollution of environment. The method of cleaning clothes can only remove stains that are biodegradable. In addition to this, the method only uses recent unproven technology.
Indirect competitors
Dry cleaners
This type of technology uses mature technology when compared to the recent established xero washing machines. The method further preserves the delicate fabric when compared to the new xero washing machine.
Natural air drying
This method of cleaning clothes uses very low cost when compared to the improved technological xero washing machines. Therefore many people would prefer natural air drying in relation to the expensive xero washing machines.
The consumer change in adoptability of product is based on several advantages that are accrued to the product. The watching machine is economical and easy to use. The machine, according to the producer and a few consumers who have used it says that it saves on energy, water and it is environmental friendly. On energy conservation, the machine saves on electricity which is the leading bill on most consumers, it is predicted that by 2040, the electricity usage will grow by 20-30% therefore increasing the electric usage and consequently increasing costs. It saves on the water usage. The American water usage for washing is currently at 22%, which is 1.2 billion gallons is used for washing (Tapan, 2010). The waterless machine reduces carbon foot print. Putting these economic advantages into consideration, the rate of consumer adoption is high. According to R & D partnership with Leads University, the machine is estimated to use 90% less water, 30% less electricity and the nylon beads used are recyclable and can be used for six months by an n average family. This makes the machine economic in its resources use and thus reduces the overall costs. These factors make its adoptability among the consumers high.
Xeros machine has a lot of advantages over other close competitors. For example, taking into consideration traditional dryer, air washer, dry cleaners and natural air drying, the Xerox machine is more advantageous it reduces the costs of electricity, water and operations is easy. You do not require special skills to operate and it is fast and cheap. The traditional washer consumes a lot of energy and does not save on water. Air washers pollute the ozone layer and do not remove non-biodegradable stains (Tapan, 2010). Dry cleaners on the other hand are expensive; require special skills and equipment that uses abrasive chemicals. Finally natural air drying is time consuming and low quality. Basing on this argument therefore, the Xeros washing machine has an advantage which makes its adoptability by consumers high.
The economic advantages are not directly observable when a consumer sees the machine for the first time, however, a simple explanation and closer look at the machine will make the consumer aware of how simple and advantageous it is. The machine looks like a conventional machine thus it is durable. Its door is unmodified making it easy to operate and its controller displays are colorful therefore easy to locate when in need to use it. Its general appearance is pleasing and reassuringly familiar. Its operational is so much easy to understand and requires no special training to handle (Shashi, 2013). A simple theoretical explanation and demonstration makes the consumer familiar with the machine thus making it easy for them to purchase it. The machine is not only economic on monetary value but also saves space due to lack of dryers and it is relatively cheap compared to its close competitors. With these external advantages the rate of adoptability by consumers is high as the machine cannot be comparable to other washing machines.
Xerox bead cleaning machine is a simple machine to use when compared to other washing machines. S the machine that does not use a dryer, saves on water and electricity, saves space and reduces carbon footing plus it reduces detergent use and pollution is incomparable to others of its kind (Amitabh, 2013). Comparing it with the likes of air, dry ice and traditional washers or natural air drying and dry cleaners, the Xerox machine is easy and fast to use. Its lack of dryer and less water and detergent usage makes it ideal putting all these in consideration; the consumers will eventually rate it as the least complex.
The machine can be used for commercial and / or residential purposes. Since it is a machine that is most acceptable in many cultures and only requires electricity to operate, it is compatible to its target group. The machine is targeted for domestic and commercial users (Shashi, 2013). Due to the advantages it have over the other washing machines and the high rate of adoption and it is not complex, the machine is therefore compatible to every person or business that wishes to adopt it.
Like any other electronic, the Xerox washing machine is easy to try and demonstrate for a prospect client. The little usage of water gives it a better advantage of trialability than its competitors. However, the machine may only be demonstrated to the customer.
In conclusion, the Xerox washing machine offers the best advantage than its close competitors. The machine fully meets its intended purposes of rendering quality and economical services to its consumers (Tapan, 2010). With many economic advantages that keep it above its competitors other factors such as psychological, social psychology, sociological and anthropological factors contribute to the decision reached by the consumer before purchasing the product. From the analysis discussed above, the Xerox washing machine has outdone its competitors with its advantages which make it ideal for both domestic and commercial use thus making it diffusion in the market fast and efficiently.
References
Amitabh Misra (2013). Wateless washer launch. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/tkamdar/wateless-washer-launch
CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR | DR RAKESH KUMAR - Academia.edu. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/1430234/CONSUMER_BEHAVIOUR
Shashi Kiran (2013). Copy of Xeros Waterless Washing Machines by Shashi Kiran on Prezi. Retrieved from http://prezi.com/s8xtcahej237/copy-of-xeros-waterless-washing-machines/
Tapan Kamdar (2010). The Xeros Machine | Xeros Ltd. (2013.). Retrieved from http://www.xeroscleaning.com/polymer-bead-cleaning/the-xeros-machine/
