KNOWLEDGE ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY: CONTEMPORARY TRENDS AND NEW CONCEPTUALIZATION IN THE CONTEXT OF FUNDAMENTAL TRANSITION PROJECTS

Abstract

Knowledge absorptive capacity (ACAP) is a dynamic organizational capability that enables the appropriation of valuable external knowledge to generate superior performance. This article discusses the following questions: Is ACAP still worth new conceptualizations? Moreover, if this is the case, what are the opportunities for additional studies to deepen the theoretical and empirical framework of this topic? To this end, we drew on the discussion of the most influential research papers and a comparative analysis between three young colleges in preparation for the first program accreditation. The theoretical discussion and the empirical results allowed the proposal of an integrative model of the ACAP processes, antecedents, and outcomes suitable for fundamental transition projects. It highlights many issues that have been understudied or ignored in the existing literature, such as the transformative and interactive nature of ACAP, the desired ACAP processes at the interface between potential and realized absorptive capacities, the necessity of a discriminative study of the antecedents and outcomes of ACAP; the ACAP-organizational learning link; the combined effects surrounding ACAP; and the role of ACAP ecosystem, organization maturity, and project maturity. In addition, the model suggests five ACAP key performance indicators: the relevance, depth, exhaustiveness, pervasion, and sustainability of knowledge. Considering these crucial issues, along with the diverse spectrum of organizations, sectors, and countries, paves the way for more in-depth research on ACAP and helps to reduce the ambiguity that still characterizes this domain.