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Learning to expand or expanding to learn? The role of imitation and experience in the choice among several expansion modes

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  • Moatti, Valerie

Abstract

Summary This paper examines how firms choose among alternative modes of development in the context of horizontal growth. We suggest that mergers and acquisitions (M&As) as well as alliances formation are influenced by both internal and external factors. More precisely, we investigate the role of imitation and experience as distinct learning mechanisms, both separately and simultaneously. Using isomorphism theoretical background, we show that the choice of expansion mode is highly influenced by competitor moves. We confirmed most of our hypotheses empirically with a sample of 83 firms from the retail industry from 1984 through 2003. Our results also show that imitation mechanism differ whether we consider M&As or alliances.

Suggested Citation

  • Moatti, Valerie, 2009. "Learning to expand or expanding to learn? The role of imitation and experience in the choice among several expansion modes," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 36-46, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eurman:v:27:y:2009:i:1:p:36-46
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    Cited by:

    1. García-Villaverde, Pedro M. & Ruiz-Ortega, María J. & Ignacio Canales, J., 2013. "Entrepreneurial orientation and the threat of imitation: The influence of upstream and downstream capabilities," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 263-277.
    2. Castellaneta, Francesco & Conti, Raffaele, 2017. "How does acquisition experience create value? Evidence from a regulatory change affecting the information environment," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 60-68.
    3. Ilaria Galavotti, 2019. "Firm-level recent profitability and acquisition performance: exploring competing theoretical perspectives," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 9(3), pages 319-345, September.
    4. Schriber, Svante & Degischer, Daniel, 2020. "Disentangling acquisition experience: A multilevel analysis and future research agenda," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 36(2).
    5. Woltering-Lamers, Philipp, 2011. "Die sequenzielle Organisationswahl: Kooperationen als Vorstufe von Akquisitionen," Arbeitspapiere 122, University of Münster, Institute for Cooperatives.
    6. Frasquet, Marta & Dawson, John & Calderón, Haydeé & Fayos, Teresa, 2018. "Integrating embeddedness with dynamic capabilities in the internationalisation of fashion retailers," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 904-914.

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