Configuring absorptive capacities through organizational practiced routines: evidence from Brazilian digital technology-based SMEs

Abstract

Absorptive capacity (ACAP) is currently one of the most dynamic themes in the knowledge literature. This is confirmed by the growing number of references associated with the fields of innovation, organizational learning and strategic management. However, despite the efforts of researchers, the main processes, routines and practices associated with the notion of ACAP remain unclear. Underpinned by in-depth case studies carried out in 2 companies operating in the field of digital technology in Brazil, we analyze the processes that structure ACAP, in search of operational configurations allowing the absorption of knowledge. The study builds on the notion of meta-routines as higher-level routines that define the general and abstract purpose of ACAP routines. These meta-routines are expressed by practiced routines of ACAP, which are firm-specific, idiosyncratic and observable. Findings reveal the evidence of interdependencies between these practiced routines, suggesting the existence of complementarity attributes among their related meta-routines. Moreover, the proposed framework highlights the sequence of these practiced routines and their adequacy to ACAP sub-capacities. From a managerial point of view, these results provide new perspectives for building ACAP in organizations. Implications and suggestions for future studies are included.