{"id":5097,"date":"2014-09-29T17:27:26","date_gmt":"2014-09-29T17:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/?page_id=5097"},"modified":"2026-01-13T21:44:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T21:44:18","slug":"late-adopter","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/readiness-levels\/late-adopter\/","title":{"rendered":"Late Adopter"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;4&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;144979&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;371040&#8243;]<em>Late Adopter<\/em> communities and organizations are described as traditional, skeptical of new ideas and eager to maintain the status quo. They usually wait until a policy or new initiative has been adopted by the majority of other communities and organizations &#8211; before implementing it themselves. They may need to be pressured into policy change, or may never adopt the new policy or initiative unless required to.<\/p>\n<h2>Strategies to use with \u2018Late Adopters\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>You can use many of the same strategies for Late Adopters as you would use with Innovator and Majority communities and organizations. However, it is important to understand that achieving policy change is usually a long and slow process and will be particularly challenging with this group. Late Adopters need to be handled with care, as they are generally reluctant to change. For instance, provincial laws may be required to force policy adoption. Considering this, you may want to determine if the timing is right to work with the provincial government to facilitate province-wide change as opposed to targeting these specific municipalities.[\/vc_column_text][vc_accordion typography=&#8221;advanced&#8221; sign=&#8221;plus&#8221; gutter_simple=&#8221;0&#8243; titles_size=&#8221;custom&#8221; titles_weight=&#8221;600&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;181029&#8243; active_tab=&#8221;20&#8243; heading_custom_size=&#8221;16&#8243;][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; title=&#8221;Educate Decision-Makers about the Issue&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1765908308-1-85&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;187289&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Obtain commitments from key decision-makers to learn more about the issue.\n<ul>\n<li>Late Adopters tend to be wary of new ideas and seek to maintain the status quo. Educating decision-makers about an issue is the first step towards breaking misconceptions and changing mindsets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Keep decision-makers \u201cin the loop\u201d by providing them with up-to-date information about new evidence, the actions and experiences of other jurisdictions, and changes in the provincial landscape that could influence the issue and policy adoption.\n<ul>\n<li>Try to stay on the policy agenda, while not aggravating the decision-makers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; title=&#8221;Provide Evidence to Illustrate that the Benefits of Policy Change Outweigh the Costs&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1765908308-2-0&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;187289&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Provide evidence to illustrate the scientific and public support that exists in favor of policy adoption.\n<ul>\n<li>When providing evidence of public support, focus on illustrating the support that exists both within the community or organization and among neighboring places.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Illustrate how communities or organizations with similar characteristics have successfully adopted and implemented the proposed policy.\n<ul>\n<li>It is important to highlight the positive impact that the policy has had in these communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Emphasize the risks and the detrimental impact of maintaining the status quo (e.g., not adopting the policy).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; title=&#8221;Build Strategic Relationships with Key Community Members&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1765908344358-2-2&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;187289&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Use opportunities such as elections to develop and strengthen relationships with elected officials.\n<ul>\n<li>Meet with each candidate early in the campaign and engage them on the issue. After the election, maintain\u00a0relationships with elected candidates throughout their term and remind them of their pre-election intentions. Focus on those candidates who are most receptive to change.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Develop relationships with key stakeholders and respected members of the community.\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0Remember that this process may be more time-intensive than with Innovator and Majority communities or organizations, so plan\u00a0accordingly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; title=&#8221;Understand the Unique Needs of the Municipality and Address Underlying Barriers&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1765908352216-3-6&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;187289&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Work with the community or organization to develop an approach to fit their specific needs as well as to create buy-in and\u00a0understanding for the issue early on.\n<ul>\n<li>Different communities have different needs and may require different approaches to the same issue. Acknowledging this is especially important when dealing with Late Adopters because they have the most reservations about adopting the policy in question.<\/li>\n<li>Late Adopters tend to require more evidence and community-based information to inform action. For this reason, it may be beneficial to conduct a situational assessment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>A situational assessment helps determine the needs and strengths of a community. It involves the\u00a0examination of factors such as the political and economic environment, key stakeholders, literature and\u00a0previous evaluations, and the community\u2019s overall vision.<sup>1<\/sup><\/li>\n<li>It is important to note that conducting a situational assessment requires a great deal of time and energy and\u00a0is not suitable or necessary for every situation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>Recognize barriers to policy change and identify how they can be addressed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>When working with Late Adopters, there are often underlying barriers inhibiting policy adoption. These\u00a0barriers can result from a number of factors, such as a specific ideological standpoint, a lack of resources or\u00a0limited capacity. To successfully influence the policy direction of a Late Adopter, you must recognize what\u00a0these barriers are and how they can be addressed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>Debunk myths (about the impact of adopting the policy) and increase the legitimacy of evidence about the issue.\n<ul>\n<li>Myths often surround proposed policy changes. Unfortunately, evidence may not always be sufficient or adequate\u00a0to debunk these myths as Late Adopters may be skeptical about the legitimacy of the evidence or its source.<\/li>\n<li>An effective way to increase the legitimacy of evidence is by working with community members who are wellrespected, receptive to change and who are willing to work towards the policy adoption.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Be prepared to counter the arguments of the opposition.\n<ul>\n<li>Work with key stakeholders to anticipate likely arguments against the proposed policy and develop possible\u00a0responses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Provide resources (e.g., money, in-kind time, materials) to overcome barriers (if available).\n<ul>\n<li>Identify possible resource pools available to the community. For example, community coalitions can often apply for grants to support policy advocacy. Local or provincial not-for-profit groups are often good sources of templates and materials that can be used in support of the policy development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; column_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; title=&#8221;Mobilize the Community to Take Action and Move the Issue Forward&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1765908360246-4-10&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;187289&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Empower receptive members of the public to take action on the issue.\n<ul>\n<li>Pressure is often needed to facilitate policy change with a Late Adopter, so it is important to engage the public and encourage them to take action.<\/li>\n<li>Employ media advocacy as a key strategy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Media advocacy is the strategic use of the mass media, coupled with other advocacy strategies, to influence\u00a0public debate and encourage policy change.<sup>1<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>Make available a range of resources, such as letter templates and sample petitions, to make it easier for the\u00a0community to take action.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Work to gain public support, and then use this support to engage decision-makers.<\/li>\n<li>Connect to the public using evidence and examples of success.\n<ul>\n<li>It is important to encourage public dialogue and to work with different stakeholders, such as the media, local\u00a0nonprofits and receptive members of the community, to build community acceptance of the issue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Consider strategies that publicly \u2018shame\u2019 the community or organization.\n<ul>\n<li>Generally speaking, communities or organizations do not like to be called out as Late Adopters, so negative tactics may work in some circumstances. This is a more aggressive strategy and requires careful consideration of the potential consequences for current and future relationship-building efforts. This is best considered only if all other efforts to engage decision-makers have been unsuccessful.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][\/vc_accordion][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;187289&#8243;]<strong>In addition to the key strategies identified for working with Late Adopters,\u00a0<a title=\"Strategies for Change\" href=\"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/strategies\/\">click here<\/a>\u00a0to view critical policy change strategies (and resources) that apply to all three adopter categories.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text text_lead=&#8221;small&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;187289&#8243;]REFERENCE<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Lawrence, W. and Dorfman, L. (1996). Media Advocacy: A Strategy for Advancing Policy and Promoting Health. Health Education Quarterly, 23 (3), 293-317.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;205847&#8243;][vc_column_text text_lead=&#8221;small&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;254171&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What Level of Readiness is Your Community?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Take the online questionnaire to assess your community or organization\u2019s readiness for policy change.[\/vc_column_text][vc_button button_color=&#8221;color-prif&#8221; border_width=&#8221;0&#8243; button_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;247751&#8243; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fpolicyreadinesstool.com%2Fstaging%2F1509%2Fthe-tool%2Fstart-the-tool%2F|title:The%20Tool&#8221;]Start the Questionnaire[\/vc_button][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;1&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;167550&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Levels of Readiness<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_button border_width=&#8221;0&#8243; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fpolicyreadinesstool.com%2Fstaging%2F1509%2Freadiness-levels%2Finnovator%2F|title:Innovator&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;186934&#8243; width=&#8221;200&#8243;]Innovator[\/vc_button][vc_button border_width=&#8221;0&#8243; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fpolicyreadinesstool.com%2Fstaging%2F1509%2Freadiness-levels%2Fmajority%2F|title:Innovator&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;946364&#8243; width=&#8221;200&#8243; button_color_type=&#8221;uncode-solid&#8221; button_color_solid=&#8221;#32a5bf&#8221;]Majority[\/vc_button][vc_button border_width=&#8221;0&#8243; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fpolicyreadinesstool.com%2Fstaging%2F1509%2Freadiness-levels%2Flate-adopter%2F|title:Innovator&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;468725&#8243; width=&#8221;200&#8243; button_color_type=&#8221;uncode-solid&#8221; button_color_solid=&#8221;#67bfd3&#8243;]Late Adopter[\/vc_button][vc_empty_space empty_h=&#8221;1&#8243;][vc_column_text text_lead=&#8221;small&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;104023&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Download Your Copy<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/PolicyReadinessTool-2020OCT-English-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2022 Policy Readiness Tool (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"13\" data-lineheight=\"20.02px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Encouraging_Policy_Change_2019_2019-07-08.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2022 Encouraging Policy Change (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" data-fontsize=\"13\" data-lineheight=\"20.02px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/PRT-Infographic-Final.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2022 Infographic (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;4&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; content_parallax=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;144979&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;371040&#8243;]Late Adopter communities and organizations are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":5103,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5097","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5097","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5097"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5097\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7047,"href":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5097\/revisions\/7047"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/policyreadinesstool.com\/staging\/1509\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}