There is good reason that so many firms have followed the early pioneers.

Smaller firms followed suit as well as the stock market.

Or did the rival firms not compete, but rather follow different strategies independently?

The firm does not follow the traditional venture capital fund model, and the partners invest only their own money on new ventures.

"We can't afford to let other firms follow Chase across the river."

If the launch is a success, 12 other Japanese firms will follow with players.

When stocks are cheaper than futures, the firm follows the reverse strategy.

Mr. Weiss's firm soon followed with its own antitrust claims.

Other firms may soon follow Salomon's plans on compensation, experts said.

As is often the case in Japan, when the leader started to move, the other firms quickly followed suit.