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Issue 5(1), October 2010 -- Paper Abstracts
Girard  (p. 9-22)
Cooper (p. 23-32)
Kunz-Osborne (p. 33-41)
Coulmas-Law (p.42-46)
Stasio (p. 47-56)
Albert-Valette-Florence (p.57-63)
Zhang-Rauch (p. 64-70)
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Nonis-Hudson-Hunt (p. 95-106)



JOURNAL OF STRATEGIC INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY


When is Imitation the Best Strategy?



Author(s): Isaac Wanasika, Suzanne L. Conner

Citation: Isaac Wanasika, Suzanne L. Conner, (2011) "When is Imitation the Best Strategy?," Journal of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability, Vol. 7, Iss. 2, pp. 79 - 93

Article Type: Research paper

Publisher: North American Business Press

Abstract:

Innovation through investments in R & D has been associated with competitiveness. However, recent studies have found mixed results. Imitation undermines the benefits of innovation. This study develops conditions under which imitation is an effective strategy, when pioneering is disadvantageous and may not necessarily create sustainable competitive advantage. Transaction Cost Economics provides a foundation for explicating environmental hazards that lead to imitation including incremental technology that cannot be easily safeguarded, weak legal environments and underdeveloped property rights regimes. General purpose technology, with its complementary applications and externalities, provides opportunities for imitation. Consequences of imitation as strategy are discussed.