By　drawing　upon　imitation　research,　this　study　addresses　the　role　peers　play　in　rapid　internationalization　by　emerging　market　firms　(EMFs).　We　argue　that　imitation　of　industry　peers＇　international　expansion　accelerates　EMFs＇　internationalization　speed　through　two　mutually　reinforcing　mechanisms:　information-based　imitation,　which　legitimizes　similar　operations　and　conveys　valuable　information;　and　rivalry-based　imitation,　which　exerts　considerable　competitive　pressure.　We　find　that　industry　peers＇　international　expansion　is　positively　related　to　EMFs＇　internationalization　speed.　Such　positive　effect　is　stronger　when　EMFs　lack　prior　international　experience　and　when　industry　competitive　intensity　is　strong.