[my answer]
I think it should not use the word “as” should use “a part of”in this problem.I’ve thought this a long time ago. My answer is that imitation is the first step for learning,such as we learned functions which have been invented in mathematic classes.And we use the previous wisdoms to create more effective methods to solve more difficult math problems.Similarly, we learned wisdom of predecessors(imitation) to solve life problems and have innovation to solve efficiently. mitation is the most important step in learning, and one of the things we should do is to come up with innovative ideas. But it wouldn't make any sense if we just copied the same idea.
I can't use yes or no to decide their relationship, but I'm sure that imitation is a necessary process of innovation.