Study of imitation practices in russian startups

Innovations are considered by Russian and foreign companies as main way to increase competitiveness. How to estimate practice of innovation is becoming one of top research priorities in management nowadays. In conditions of recourses scarcity companies resort to imitation practices to improve their competitiveness by coping innovators. The paper presents result of empirical research of imitation and innovation practices among startups which are residents of Russian business incubators. Five clusters were found with distinct innovation and imitation practices. Two clusters with imitation practices appeared more effective compared to clusters with innovation practices. Research outcomes might be used by startups to improve their performance and competitiveness

Keywords: imitation practices, strategy, innovation, competitiveness, start-ups

References

1. Дженерики занимают 77% российского рынка лекарств, 2013. РИА Новости. https://ria.ru/society/20131121/978646631.html.

2. Бизнес-инкубаторы и технопарки России. Проблемы и решения. Отчет.E&Y Россия, РВК. 2014.

3. «Яндекс» отказался от соцсети «Мой круг»//РБК. 2015. http://www.rbc.ru/technology_and_media/08/06/2015/557597d79a7947ed9d053979.

4. Индикаторы инновационной деятельности: 2017: стат. сборники ВШЭ. М.: Национальный исследовательский университет «Высшая школа экономики», 2017.

5. С. В. Александровский, М. А. Шушкин. Модель реализации стратегий имитации компаниями//Инновации. № 1. 2015.

6. Е. Виноградова. Виагра — третий по популярности препарат в российских аптеках//Ведомости. 16 ноября 2011 г.

7. И. Ткачев. Немецкая фабрика стартапов Rocket Internet объявила IPO на €750 млн//РБК. 10 сентября 2014 г. http://www.rbc.ru/society/10/09/2014/570421f59a794760d3d415c6.

8. H. Abdi, L. J. Williams. Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) Test//Encyclopedia of research design. 2010. P. 1-6.

9. K. Aerts, P. Matthyssens, K. Vandenbempt. Critical role and screening practices of European business incubators//Technovation. 2007. № 5 (27). P. 254-267.

10. J. Barney. Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage//Journal of management. 1991. № 1 (17). P. 99-120.

11. M. K. Bolton. Imitation versus innovation: Lessons to be learned from the Japanese//Organizational dynamics. 1993. № 3 (21). P. 30-45.

12. H. W. Chesbrough. The Era of Open Innovation//MIT sloanmanagement review. 2003. № 3 (44). P. 9.

13. K. Conger. Google claims Levandowski launched competing projects long before Otto. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/03/google-claims-levandowski-launchedcompeting-projects-long-before-otto.

14. N. E. Coviello et al. How Firms Relate to Their Markets: An Empirical Examination of Contemporary Marketing Practices// Journal of marketing. 2002. № 3 (66). P. 33-46.

15. S. Curtis. YotaPhone hands-on review: full marks for innovation. The Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/mobilephones/10494209/YotaPhone-hands-on-review-full-marks-forinnovation.html.

16. P. F. Drucker. Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 1985. – 277 p.

17. L. Eden, E. Levitas, R. J. Martinez. The production, transfer and spillover of technology: Comparing large and small multinationals as technology producers//Small business economics. 1997. № 1 (9). P. 53-66.

18. E. Enkel, O. Gassmann. Creative imitation: Exploring the case of cross-industry innovation//R and D management. 2010. № 3 (40). P. 256-270.

19. D. Eytan. In Madrid, the Worlds of Fast-Fashion and High Fashion Battle Things Out on The Same Runway. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/declaneytan/2017/01/31/in-madrid-the-worldsof-fast-fashion-and-high-fashion-battle-things-out-on-the-samerunway/#1eca5160597a.

20. I. Fernandes. Vkontakte is Facebook’s Formidable Rival in Russia. Global News — Advertising Age. AdAge, 2012.

21. J.-Y. Huang, T.-C. Chou, G.-G. Lee. Imitative innovation strategies//Management decision. 2010. № 6 (48). P. 952-975.

22. D. Kale, S. S. Little. From Imitation to Innovation: The Evolution of R&D Capabilities and Learning Processes in the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry//Technology analysis & strategic management. 2007. № 5 (19). P. 589-609.

23. R. P. Lee, K. Z. Zhou. Is Product Imitation Good for Firm Performance? An Examination of Product Imitation Types and Contingency Factors//Journal of international marketing. 2012. № 3 (20). P. 1-16.

24. T. Levitt. Innovative Imitation//McKinsey quarterly. 1967. № 2 (4).

25. LEVITT T. Innovative Imitation: HSE electronic resources//McKinsey quarterly. 1967. № 2 (4). P. 35-45.

26. J. Li-Ying, Y. Wang, S. Salomo. An inquiry on dimensions of external technology search and their influence on technological innovations: Evidence from Chinese firms//R and D management. 2014. № 1 (44). P. 53-74.

27. M. B. Lieberman, S. Asaba. Why do firms imitate each other?//Academy of management review. 2006. № 2 (31). P. 366-385.

28. M. B. Lieberman, D. B. Montgomery. First-Mover (Dis) Advantages: Retrospective and Link With the Resource-Based View//Strategic Management Journal. 1998. June. P. 1111-1125.

29. A. MacPherson. The contribution of external service inputs to the product development efforts of small manufacturing firms//R and D management. 1997. № 2 (27). P. 127-144.

30. N. K. Malhotra, D. F. Birks, P. Wills. Marketing Research: An Applied Approach. Wills, 2012.

31. J. A. Mathews. Competitive Advantages of the Latecomer Firm:\ rA Resource-Based Account of Industrial\rCatch-Up Strategies// Asia pacific journal of management. 2002. 19. P. 467-488.

32. K. Matsuyama. Poverty Trap//Palgrave dictionary. 2005. № 1685. P. 1185-1192.

33. R. R. Nelson. The changing institutional requirements for technological and economic catch up//International journal of technological learning, innovation and development. 2007. № 1 (1). P. 4.

34. A. Ordanini, G. Rubera, R. DeFillippi. The many moods of interorganizational imitation: A critical review//International journal of management reviews. 2008. № 4 (10). P. 375-398.

35. M. E. Porter. The Technological Dimension of Competitive Strategy 1983. P. 1-34.

36. C. Rammer, D. Czarnitzki, A. Spielkamp. Innovation success of non-R&D-performers: substituting technology by management in SMEs//Small business economics. 2009. № 1 (33). P. 35-58.

37. R. Reed, R. J. DeFillippi. Causal Ambiguity, Barriers to Imitation, and Sustainable Competitive Advantage. Academy of Management Review. 1990.

38. V. Savov. Apple’s copycats are turning into true iPhone competitors. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/6/11379640/apple-huawei-xiaomi-design-competition.

39. S. P. Schnaars. Managing Imitation Strategies. Free Press, 1994. – 304 p.

40. O. Shenkar. Copycats: How Smart Companies Use Imitation to Gain a Strategic Edge. Harvard Business Review Press, 2010. – 256 p.

41. O. Shenkar. Imitation is more valuable than innovation//Harvard Business Review. 2010. № 4 (88).

42. P. E. Stephan, S. G. Levin. Property rights and entrepreneurship in science//Small Business Economics. 1996. № 3 (8). P. 177-188.

43. B. Sun, J. Xie, H. H. Cao. Product Strategy for Innovators in Markets with Network Effects//Marketing Science. 2004. № 2 (23). P. 243-254.

44. D. M. Szymanski, L. C. Troy, S. G. Bharadwaj. Order of Entry and Business Performance: An Empirical Synthesis and Reexamination.

45. A. Tan. South Korea’s «Pororo Go» game is meant to be like «Pokemon Go» for kids. Mashable. http://mashable.com/2016/07/22/south-korea-pororo-go/#OHkoDRYbCqqm.

46. L. M. Uhlaner et al. Disentangling the effects of organizational capabilities, innovation and firm size on SME sales growth//Small business economics. 2012. № 3 (41). P. 581-607.

47. V. van de Vrande, W. Vanhaverbeke, G. Duysters. Technology In- Sourcing and the Creation of Pioneering Technologies//Journal of product innovation management. 2011. № 6 (28). P. 974-987.

48. William J. Wales, Vinit Parida, P. C. Patel. Too much of a good thing? Absorptive capacity, firm performance, and the moderating role of entrepreneurial orientation//Strategic management journal. 2013. October 2006 (1212). P. 12.

49. D. Xu, K. E. Meyer. Linking Theory and Context: ‘Strategy Research in Emerging Economies’ after Wright et al. (2005)//Journal of Management Studies. 2012. November.

50. Yadong Luo, Jinyun Sun, Lu Wang S. Emerging Economy Copycats: Capability, Environment, and Strategy//Academy of Management Perspectives. 2011. № 2 (25). P. 37-56.

51. B. Zhang. China sells cheap Range Rover lookalike. Business Insider http://www.businessinsider.com/china-has-knocked-off-a-rangerover-and-is-selling-it-at-a-third-of-the-price-of-the-real-thing-2015-8.

52. Y. L. Zhao et al. Pioneering Advantages and Entrepreneurs’ Firstmover Decisions: An Empirical Investigation for the United States and China//Journal of Product Innovation Management. 2012. 29. P. 190-210.

53. K. Z. Zhou, K. Zheng Zhou. Innovation, imitation, and new product performance: The case of China//Industrial Marketing Management. 2006. № 3. P. 394-402.

Authors