Greenhalgh et al. (2004) synthesise evidence on how innovations spread, are adopted, and become sustained within healthcare and service organisations.
The authors developed a comprehensive model of innovation diffusion that highlights the complex interplay between characteristics of the innovation, individuals, organisations, communication networks, implementation processes, and the wider external environment. The review demonstrates that successful implementation depends not only on the quality of an innovation but also on factors such as organisational readiness, leadership, culture, social influence, and system fit. The paper also distinguishes between diffusion, dissemination, implementation, and sustainability, emphasising that each requires different strategies and considerations. Overall, this influential review provides one of the foundational frameworks for understanding and studying implementation and organisational change in healthcare.