--- canonical_url: "https://csls.ca/research/the-diffusion-and-adoption-of-advanced-technologies-in-canada-an-overview-of-the-issues/" title: "The Diffusion and Adoption of Advanced Technologies in Canada: An Overview of the Issues" author: name: "CSLS" url: "https://csls.ca/author/cslc/" date_published: "2026-07-02T13:48:10+00:00" date_modified: "2026-07-02T13:48:10+00:00" post_type: "research" summary: "" post_tag: - "Canada" - "innovation" - "machinery and equipment" - "productivity" - "R&D" - "technology adoption" - "technology diffusion" country_focus: - "Canada" province_region: - "National" research_theme: - "Productivity and Economic Measurement" - "Technology and Innovation" featured_image: "https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/old-reports_hero_banner_bg.webp" status: "publish" --- # The Diffusion and Adoption of Advanced Technologies in Canada: An Overview of the Issues Canonical URL: https://csls.ca/research/the-diffusion-and-adoption-of-advanced-technologies-in-canada-an-overview-of-the-issues/ # The Diffusion and Adoption of Advanced Technologies in Canada: An Overview of the Issues [Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2005-05-1.pdf) Cite this report × Cite this report as: Sharpe, Andrew. 2005. “The Diffusion and Adoption of Advanced Technologies in Canada: An Overview of the Issues.” CSLS Research Report 2005-05. Ottawa: Centre for the Study of Living Standards. https://csls.ca/research/the-diffusion-and-adoption-of-advanced-technologies-in-canada-an-overview-of-the-issues/ ## Author: - Andrew Sharpe Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) ## Report 2005-05 December 2005 23 pages ## Related research [Measuring the Appropriate Outcomes for Better Decision-Making: A Framework to Guide the Analysis of Health Policy Matthew Calver March 2016 | Report 2016-03 | 132 pages](https://csls.ca/research/measuring-the-appropriate-outcomes-for-better-decision-making-a-framework-to-guide-the-analysis-of-health-policy-2016-03/) [Living Standards Domain of the Canadian Index of Wellbeing Andrew Sharpe, Christopher Ross November 2011 | Report 2011-17 | 124 pages](https://csls.ca/research/living-standards-domain-of-the-canadian-index-of-wellbeing-2011-17/) [Productivity: Key to Economic Success Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) March 1998 | Report 1998-01 | 99 pages](https://csls.ca/research/productivity-key-to-economic-success/) [Apprenticeship in Canada: A Training System Under Siege? 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It argues that while R&D is important, most Canadian firms do not perform R&D and their innovation and productivity performance depends primarily on the diffusion and adoption of technologies developed elsewhere. The paper reviews the academic literature on technological diffusion, summarizes evidence on diffusion in Canada, reviews relevant government and stakeholder documents, and identifies key knowledge gaps. It concludes that technology diffusion deserves greater attention in Canada’s innovation and productivity policy agenda. Cet article propose un aperçu des enjeux liés à la diffusion et à l’adoption de technologies et de pratiques d’affaires avancées au Canada. Il soutient que, bien que la R-D soit importante, la plupart des entreprises canadiennes n’en font pas, et que leur performance en matière d’innovation et de productivité dépend principalement de la diffusion et de l’adoption de technologies développées ailleurs. L’article recense la littérature universitaire sur la diffusion technologique, résume les données probantes sur la diffusion au Canada, examine les documents pertinents du gouvernement et des intervenants, et cerne les principales lacunes dans les connaissances. Il conclut que la diffusion technologique mérite une plus grande attention dans le programme de politiques d’innovation et de productivité du Canada. [Download full PDF report](https://csls.ca/pdf/csls2005-05-1.pdf)