Hold or Hurry? How Firms Adjust Their Speed of Imitation in the Face of Technological Transitions

This study delves into the determinants of the pace at which firms imitate innovations introduced by rivals, particularly examining periods of technological stability compared to those of technological transition. By bridging theories of rivalry-based and information-based imitation with the existing technological change literature, we argue that during periods of technological transition the speed of imitation of rivals’ innovations is lower than during periods of technological stability. Furthermore, we explore various contingencies that influence this relationship, including the characteristics of the imitator, the imitated firm, and the imitated technology. We test our hypotheses using data on more than 9,000 mobile phone models and related technological innovations introduced from 1992 to 2019. Overall, this study contributes to the current literature on imitation and technological change.