Abstract:Basic research is the source of scientific and technological innovation and an important support for strengthening the dominant position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation. This paper empirically examines the existence, imitation path and influencing factors of the cohort effect of basic research by taking the Shanghai-Shenzhen A-share manufacturing and information technology listed enterprises from 2013 to 2022 as samples. It is found that the basic research decision of enterprises is affected by other enterprises in the industry, and its imitation path shows a certain law of first inside and then outside. The higher the competitive position of the enterprise and the richer the previous basic research experience, the more easily its basic research decisions are influenced by the industry peers. This study will help to better understand the external driving force of enterprise basic research and provide useful ideas for encouraging enterprises to carry out basic research and improving China's basic research policy system.