Imitation vs. Innovation in the SME Sector

Katalin Takács-György and Ahmad M.P. Toyserkani

Roczniki (Annals), 2014, vol. 2014, issue 2

Abstract: It is frequently mentioned that during economic crisis one of the key elements of strengthening SMEs is permanent renewal and capability of innovation. However, only some businesses are able to carry out classical product/service innovation (Schumpeter). We are of the opinion that observing the best practice, adoption and/or adaption – the imitation – should be given a higher function in everyday business life. From the point of view of business development, imitation can be more important than innovation. To find ideas worth imitating it is necessary to react and start to produce rapidly, at the right time and bring to the market the essentials of imitation. The aim of the paper is to give a theoretical overview of the interpretations of innovation and imitation. Sectoral features and regional differences determine the scope of development and renewal for existing enterprises. At the same time the knowledge of entrepreneurs regarding innovation is insufficient, thus a new paradigm is needed.

Keywords: Agribusiness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Downloads: (external link)
https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/201805/files/16-2-Takacs-Gyorgi.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:paaero:201805

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.201805

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Roczniki (Annals) from Polish Association of Agricultural Economists and Agribusiness - Stowarzyszenie Ekonomistow Rolnictwa e Agrobiznesu (SERiA) Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by AgEcon Search ().