Imitation as an Innovation Strategy: Evidence from the Colombian Chocolate and Confectionery Sector

Angela Victoria  Arenas-Duque; Giovanny Enrique Valencia Zuñiga; José Londoño-Cardozo

doi:10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/empresa/a.15845

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A imitação como estratégia de inovação: evidências do setor colombiano do chocolate e da confeitaria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/empresa/a.15845

PDF (Español (España))

Publicado: may 11, 2026

Edição: v. 28 n. 52 (2026)

Seção Artículo de investigación científica y tecnológica

Autores

Angela Victoria Arenas-Duque
Universidad del Valle

Giovanny Enrique Valencia Zuñiga
Universidad del Valle

José Londoño-Cardozo
Universidad del Valle

Resumo

Objetivo: este estudo analisa a imitação como estratégia de inovação no setor colombiano do chocolate e da confeitaria, com o objetivo de compreender o seu papel no fortalecimento da competitividade e da adaptabilidade organizacional. Metodologia: a partir de uma abordagem qualitativa, a pesquisa utilizou entrevistas semiestruturadas com representantes das quatro maiores empresas multinacionais de origem colombiana do setor, todas com presença internacional. A análise foi desenvolvida por meio de métodos hermenêuticos para examinar a relação entre imitação, inovação e proteção da informação na configuração das estratégias empresariais. Principais resultados: os achados mostram que a imitação não é compreendida como uma simples réplica, mas como uma prática consciente e estruturada que reduz riscos, otimiza recursos e acelera o desenvolvimento de produtos, por meio de processos de adaptação e diferenciação. Também se observa que as empresas articulam a imitação com a inovação centrada no cliente, o trabalho colaborativo, e processos sistemáticos, ao mesmo tempo em que protegem seu conhecimento por meio de acordos de confidencialidade, patentes e vantagens temporárias. Conclusão: o estudo contribui para a teoria organizacional, ao demonstrar que, em economias emergentes, a inovação também pode ser construída a partir da reinterpretação estratégica de referências existentes, o que indica a necessidade de reconhecer a imitação como uma via legítima de inovação.

Como Citar

Arenas-Duque , A. V., Valencia Zuñiga, G. E., & Londoño-Cardozo, J. (2026). A imitação como estratégia de inovação: evidências do setor colombiano do chocolate e da confeitaria. Revista Universidad Y Empresa, 28(52), 1–42. https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/empresa/a.15845

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