Imitation or Innovation: Reflections on the Institutional Development of Peru

Imitation of institutional models from industrialized nations is disfunctional for the developing nation. The imported model often does not fit the needs of the host culture. Furthermore, the model is a product of particular historical circumstances in the exporting country. Members of that institution would not recreate it in its present form if they were free to build anew. Industrialized countries are also characterized by a high degree of specialization and by complex problems of coodination of specialties. The developing nation can progress best as it pursues an innovative strategy with an emphasis upon the integration among specialties. The argument is illustrated with cases drawn primarily from Peru. William F. Whyte is professor at the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University.