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

Objective: This study explores imitation as an innovation strategy within Colombia’s chocolate and confectionery sector, aiming to understand its role in strengthening competitiveness and organizational adaptability. Methodology: Using a qualitative approach, the research employed semi-structured interviews with representatives from the four largest Colombian multinational companies in the sector, all of which have international operations. The analysis applied hermeneutic methods to examine how imitation, innovation, and information protection interact in shaping business strategies. Key findings: reveal that imitation is not perceived as mere replication but as a conscious, structured practice that reduces risks, optimizes re-sources, and accelerates product development through adaptation and differentiation. The study highlights that firms integrate imitation with customercentered innovation, team-based collaboration, and systematic processes while safeguarding intellectual property through confidentiality agreements, patents, and strategic timing. Despite its strategic relevance, imitation remains linguistically and symbolically marginalized, often replaced by terms such as “strategic adaptation” to avoid negative connotations. Conclusions: The research contributes to organizational theory by illustrating how firms in emerging economies reinterpret innovation beyond radical invention, emphasizing pragmatic, ethical, and con-text-specific approaches that balance creativity, competitiveness, and knowledge protection. These findings suggest the need for policy frameworks, academic curricula, and managerial practices that recognize imitation as a legitimate pathway to innovation.