Excerpt from Organization Theory and Design by Richard Daft on the topic of mimetic forces as a form of institutional adaptation.

Executives observe an innovation in a firm generally regarded as successful, so the management practice is quickly copied. An example is the proliferation of Wi-Fi hotspots in cafes, hotels, and airports. Starbucks was one of the first companies to adopt Wi-Fi, enabling customers to use laptops and handheld computers at Starbucks stores. The practice has rapidly been copied by both large and small companies, from Holiday Inns to the local deli.

And yes, the Safeway Deli now offers wireless internet. Yosh! This was only written a year and a half ago.

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