DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY AND WORK-SITE AIDS PROGRAMS

Four case studies of the adoption of work-site AIDS programs are inves tigated,, two of which were modifications of the Centers for Disease C ontrol and Prevention's Business Responds to AIDS (BRTA) program. AIDS work-site programs were mainly initiated by the four study companies as a result of the efforts of a champion (defined as an individual who gains attention and resources for an issue in a system) or the occurr ence of a tragic event, such as a company employee contracting AIDS. T he BRTA program is an innovation that has not yet reached critical mas s, which is the point after which further rates of adoption occur rapi dly in a self-sustaining process.