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Don’T Get Caught On The Wrong Foot: A Resource-Based Perspective On Imitation Threats In Innovation Partnerships

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  • J. NILS FOEGE

    (TIME Research Area, School of Business and Economics, RWTH Aachen University, Kackertstrasse 7, 52072 Aachen, Germany)

  • ERK P. PIENING

    (#x2020;Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Jakob-Welder-Weg 9, 55099 Mainz, Germany)

  • TORSTEN-OLIVER SALGE

    (TIME Research Area, School of Business and Economics, RWTH Aachen University, Kackertstrasse 7, 52072 Aachen, Germany)

Abstract

Innovation partnerships can be a double-edged sword. While they are important vehicles for learning and value creation, such partnerships also increase a firm’s vulnerability to unintended knowledge leakage and imitation by others. In this study, we go beyond previous research by studying the imitation threats induced by innovation partnership portfolios rather than individual alliances. Drawing on the resource-based view, we develop and test a model that links salient structural attributes of partnership portfolios and distinct forms of imitation. Results from our analysis of 803 German manufacturing firms support our prediction that a firm’s probability of being imitated increases with the partnership variety of its portfolio. We also find that firms can mitigate this threat by carefully selecting innovation partners and using appropriation mechanisms.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Nils Foege & Erk P. Piening & Torsten-Oliver Salge, 2017. "Don’T Get Caught On The Wrong Foot: A Resource-Based Perspective On Imitation Threats In Innovation Partnerships," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 21(03), pages 1-42, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ijimxx:v:21:y:2017:i:03:n:s1363919617500232
    DOI: 10.1142/S1363919617500232
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