Characteristics of codified knowledge and replication-imitation speed differentials

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate knowledge replication-imitation speed differentials in the context of patents as the target knowledge. Design/methodology/approach This study analyzes patent citations in the electric digital data processing class employing an accelerated failure-time model. Findings This study finds that replicators can turn the private aspect of knowledge into an advantage against imitators with respect to the speed of knowledge transfer, even after the knowledge is codified in a patent. Specifically, being a replicator provides no knowledge transfer speed advantage over imitators. Instead, a joint consideration of knowledge characteristics and organizational boundaries is necessary when explaining knowledge replication-imitation speed differentials. Thus, “organizational advantage” in knowledge transfer is knowledge characteristic-specific rather than general. Originality/value This study illuminates the differential effects of organizational boundaries on knowledge transfer by investigating both replication and imitation in conjunction with each other, which has been a weakness in previous studies. This study also investigates knowledge transfer speed, another void in extant research.