Organizational learning, absorptive capacity, imitation and innovation
Summary. This study examines how Chinese firms transition from imitation to innovation by analyzing relationships among organizational learning, absorptive capacity, imitation, and innovation. Using survey data from 115 Beijing firms, the research finds that organizational learning and absorptive capacity both directly boost innovation. Imitation strengthens absorptive capacity, which then mediates the path from imitation to innovation. Absorptive capacity emerges as critical for firms moving beyond copying to genuine innovation.
Cite this article
Song, Z.. (2015). Organizational learning, absorptive capacity, imitation and innovation. Chinese Management Studies. https://doi.org/10.1108/cms-05-2014-0092
Song, Zhihong. “Organizational learning, absorptive capacity, imitation and innovation.” Chinese Management Studies, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1108/cms-05-2014-0092.
Song, Zhihong. 2015. “Organizational learning, absorptive capacity, imitation and innovation.” Chinese Management Studies. https://doi.org/10.1108/cms-05-2014-0092.
@article{song-2015-organizational-learning-absorptive-capacity-imitation,
title = {Organizational learning, absorptive capacity, imitation and innovation},
author = {Zhihong Song},
journal = {Chinese Management Studies},
year = {2015},
doi = {10.1108/cms-05-2014-0092},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1108/cms-05-2014-0092}
}
TY - JOUR TI - Organizational learning, absorptive capacity, imitation and innovation AU - Zhihong Song JO - Chinese Management Studies PY - 2015 DO - 10.1108/cms-05-2014-0092 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/cms-05-2014-0092 ER -
Details
- DOI
- 10.1108/cms-05-2014-0092
- Countries
- China
- Regions
- Asia
- Categories
- innovation-theory, regional-innovation-systems, general-innovation
- Added
- 2026-04-28