Technological imitation may play a crucial role in motivating firms to innovate. However, theoretical predictions and … empirical findings on the role of imitation have not yet reached a consensus. One major gap in the previous studies is that the … measure of industry-level technological imitation proxied by quick citations by competitors to examine the relationship …

incumbents. We examine the role in catch-up of late movers' optimal resource allocation between innovation and imitation … either imitation or innovation deters technological leadership change by late movers in the long run, since the leading firms … are moving targets. Furthermore, when a late mover's technology level is low, the late mover should focus on imitation and …