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Replicating Organizational Knowledge: Principles or Templates?

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  • C. Baden-Fuller
  • S.G. Winter

Abstract

We discuss how firms can replicate practices and knowledge embedded in practices by following principles, with no direct reference to an extant working example (template). Definitions are provided for the key concepts of templates, principles, and background knowledge. We address the challenges of providing operational measures for successful replication, and for comparing the efficacy of principles and templates. By using two longitudinal case studies of replication across the units of two multi-unit organizations, we support the central claim that in certain circumstances replication by principles can be as speedy and cost effective as replication with templates, and deliver results of comparable quality. The principle contingencies affecting the relative performance of the two methods are identified. We also point out that replication efforts can be a source or incubator, as well as an application area, for dynamic capabilities in an organization. We briefly suggest what the results may mean for theories of knowledge-based competition.

Suggested Citation

  • C. Baden-Fuller & S.G. Winter, 2005. "Replicating Organizational Knowledge: Principles or Templates?," Papers on Economics and Evolution 2005-15, Philipps University Marburg, Department of Geography.
    • Handle: RePEc:esi:evopap:2005-15
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Roger D. Congleton, 2010. "On the Evolution of Organizational Government," Papers on Economics and Evolution 2010-09, Philipps University Marburg, Department of Geography.
    3. Anja Danner-Schröder & Daniel Geiger, 2016. "Unravelling the Motor of Patterning Work: Toward an Understanding of the Microlevel Dynamics of Standardization and Flexibility," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 27(3), pages 633-658, June.
    4. Roger D. Congleton, 2015. "On the Evolution of Organizational Governance: Divided Governance and Survival in the Long Run," Working Papers 15-25, Department of Economics, West Virginia University.
    5. Łukasik Paweł, 2019. "Creative Industries and Knowledge Replication," Management Sciences. Nauki o Zarządzaniu, Sciendo, vol. 24(3), pages 10-15, September.
    6. Davies, Andrew & Frederiksen, Lars & Cacciatori, Eugenia & Hartmann, Andreas, 2018. "The long and winding road: Routine creation and replication in multi-site organizations," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(8), pages 1403-1417.
    7. Shad Morris & James Oldroyd & Ryan T. Allen & Daniel Han Ming Chng & Jian Han, 2023. "From local modification to global innovation: How research units in emerging economies innovate for the world," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(3), pages 418-440, April.
    8. Agnieszka Dziubinska, 2017. "The institutional innovation in terms of transition of the environment (Innowacja instytucjonalna w warunkach transformacji otoczenia)," Research Reports, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 2(24), pages 48-59.

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