Purpose

The purpose of this study is to simultaneously investigate a comprehensive analysis of the extent to which strategic orientations, namely, imitation and innovation orientations, and knowledge management affect firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of the resource-based view and dynamic capability theory, this scholarly inquiry has proposed a comprehensive framework that delineates the relationships amongst imitation, innovation, absorptive capacity (ACAP), innovation performance and financial performance. To scrutinize the proposed research model, bootstrap routines were used through Smart partial least squares to estimate the procedures. To collect the necessary data, a questionnaire and financial statements were acquired from a sample of 100 Iranian firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. The findings of the study have important implications for both scholars and practitioners seeking to enhance firm performance through the effective utilization of imitation, innovation and ACAP.

Findings

The results indicate that imitation activities have directly led to the improvement in innovation performance, even in the presence of innovation and ACAP. However, the relationship has not been confirmed by financial performance.

Originality/value

Imitation and innovation orientations have been identified as pivotal strategic orientations that can significantly affect firm performance. As far as the authors know, this investigation represents the first comprehensive examination of both imitation and innovation activities as a critical transition in emerging markets (EMs) characterized by complex economies, such as Iran. The findings may aid firms in enhancing their performance by providing insight into the strategic importance of imitation and innovation orientations in EMs.

中文翻译：

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如何在约束下蓬勃发展：模仿还是创新？创新与吸收能力对企业绩效的中介作用

目的

本研究的目的是同时对战略导向（即模仿和创新导向）以及知识管理对企业绩效的影响程度进行综合分析。

设计/方法论/途径

借鉴资源基础观和动态能力理论的理论框架，本学术研究提出了一个全面的框架，描述了模仿、创新、吸收能力（ACAP）、创新绩效和财务绩效之间的关系。为了仔细检查所提出的研究模型，通过智能偏最小二乘法使用引导例程来估计程序。为了收集必要的数据，我们从德黑兰证券交易所上市的 100 家伊朗公司中获取了一份调查问卷和财务报表。该研究的结果对于寻求通过有效利用模仿、创新和 ACAP 来提高公司绩效的学者和从业者具有重要意义。

发现

结果表明，即使存在创新和 ACAP，模仿活动也会直接导致创新绩效的提高。然而，这种关系尚未得到财务业绩的证实。

原创性/价值

模仿和创新导向已被确定为能够显着影响公司绩效的关键战略导向。据作者所知，这项调查是对模仿和创新活动的首次全面审查，作为以复杂经济体为特征的新兴市场（EM）的关键转型，例如伊朗。研究结果可能通过深入了解新兴市场中模仿和创新导向的战略重要性，帮助企业提高绩效。