Innovation versus Imitation Choices amid Technological Turbulence and Intense Competition: Evidence from a Canadian Historical Case
Patrice Gélinas, Lisa Baillargeon

Abstract
This paper investigates two determinants of managerial choices between product innovation and product imitation in the case of Quebec’s cast iron stove industry at the beginning of the 20th century.Analyses rely on three main sources of data focused on stoves advertised in the province: newspaper and magazine advertisements published by foundries and merchants, catalogues and secondary sources. Results suggest that product imitation strategies outpaced product innovation strategies due to high technological turbulence and high competitive intensity. Implications are that further research frameworks on innovation versus imitation choices should include those two constructs.

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