Development Of Absorptive Capacity Research Articles

How do service innovation practices develop frontline employee resilience capabilities in not-for-profits?

PurposeThis study aims to explore how not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) adopt service innovation and improve their employee resilience capabilities as a response to environmental changes arising from marketisation of public services.Design/methodology/approachUsing a multiple case-study research design, this study involved 32 interviews with frontline employees working in a not-for-profit care-providing organisation.FindingsThis study finds that the development of absorptive capacity can facilitate service innovation adoption in NFPs and improve employee resilience in times of transition.Originality/valueThis study offers theoretical insights on service innovation, absorptive capacity and employee resilience in NFPs. It makes practical recommendations that will enable NFPs to help frontline employees better adopt service innovation practices in business models endorsed by the private sector.

Technological and non-technological innovation synergies under the lens of absorptive capacity efficiency

While extensive research has focused on the role of absorptive capacity on innovation performance, no attention has been paid to the investigation of the relationship between absorptive capacity efficiency -the returns of resources devoted to absorptive capacity development- and innovation synergies. Marketing or organizational innovations, although significant for firm performance, are not considered as part of firm’s innovation strategy. We argue that firms do not randomly invest on innovation projects, but instead follow specific innovation strategy, aiming at integrating multiple innovation types which allows them to exploit emerging innovation synergies and thus, increase the returns from resources devoted to their absorptive capacity. Our empirical findings suggest that innovation synergies differentially affect firms' absorptive capacity efficiency. Product-marketing innovation synergies positively affect internal knowledge generation, while process-organisational innovation synergies negatively impact in-house Absorptive Capacity efficiency. Both integrated innovations have a positive effect on externally sourced Absorptive Capacity efficiency.

The influence of the breadth of the tech stack on the result of the digital product: А view through the theory of absorption capacity

In today’s economy based on knowledge and innovation, the development of absorptive capacity by companies is a critical aspect of business competitiveness. In this study, the tech stack of sites is considered as a specific, measurable part of the digital and innovative development of a company. In literature to date, there is no clear answer to which technologies and in what quantity should be included in the tech stack. From the point of view of assessing the tech stack, mainly qualitative methods are proposed that are quite resource intensive. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to determine the impact of the technologies used by the characteristics of quantity, uniqueness and popularity in the tech stack of the product on the result (the absence of critical errors); as well as in developing a quantitative approach for assessing the impact of the technologies used on the result of a digital product. The quantitative approach was developed and conceptualized based on previous literature, tested on 12 sites of large Russian banks, including 12 main domains and 595 subdomains. An analysis of a study of 216 online applications for banking products showed a positive relationship between the share of unique technologies in the bank’s visible tech stack and the number of errors, as well as a negative relationship between the share of popular technologies in the stack and errors. This study expands the discussion on the development of absorptive capacity, contributes to the understanding of the limitations of absorptive capacity of companies and proposes a quantitative approach for auditing the operational tech stack of companies’ websites.

Model for the Development of Absorptive Capacity in Incubated Companies

This study proposed a model for the development of absorptive capacity in incubated business, and their impacts on the innovativeness and organizational performance of companies incubated in the Brazilian context. The research was carried through the application of a questionnaire with incubator managers of Brazilian companies, where 141 respondents participated. Additionally, in the data analysis, Structural Equation Modeling was used. The following were perceived as precursors to the use of knowledge: the knowledge of professionals and assistance in capturing knowledge. Through these relationships, Potential Absortive Capacity had a strong relationship with Received Absortive Capacity, which demonstrated an excellent relationship with innovativeness and organizational performance. These findings allow the development of incentive policies that lead to assertive incubated companies in Brazil, in addition to academically advancing the discussion on the combination of characteristics that are necessary and must be developed in incubated companies through the proposed model.

The Effects of Dynamic Absorptive Capacity on Innovation Strategy: Evidence from SMEs in a Technological Context

Absorptive capacity and innovation strategies are determining issues for the survival of organizations in current contexts. While organizations are immersed in the knowledge society, managers face great challenges to respond to market needs and performance in innovation ecosystems. This article aims to analyze the effects of absorptive capacity on the implementation of innovation strategy. A quantitative research study was conducted with a sample of 51 SMEs, and the construct model was analyzed using the SEM method. The results indicate that there is a high correlation between the level of absorptive capacity and innovation strategies. Even though firms in this specific sector work with advanced technologies, there is a basic level of development of absorptive capacity, generating some difficulties for the design and implementation of innovation strategies. Furthermore, by using the acquisition, assimilation, transformation, and exploitation of knowledge from the competitive landscape, firms improve their adaptability in the technological environment. The effects of absorptive capacity on innovation strategy contribute to the development of the extant literature on innovation management strategy and provide some managerial implications and future research areas.

Exploring microfoundations and multilevel mechanisms of absorptive capacity in an emerging economy: empirical evidence from a leading car manufacturer

AbstractPurposeDespite the importance of knowledge processes in building absorptive capacity, we are less clear about the micro-processes of absorptive capacity development and particularly about the role of individuals' knowledge processes.Design/methodology/approachThis study empirically examined, via an in-depth case study, the microfoundations of absorptive capacity and their influence on building absorptive capacity in an automaker across the course of four product innovation projects.FindingsFindings suggested that dynamics in a knowledge environment informed individual-level tacit and explicit knowledge processes. In return, knowledge processes at the individual level informed organizational learning processes and the emergence of knowledge processes at organization level for acquisition, assimilation, transformation, and exploitation of new knowledge.OriginalityThis study contributes to the literature by revealing individuals' knowledge processes from which absorptive capacity emerges. Practically, managers can use the findings of this study to promote certain knowledge processes to develop intended aspects of absorptive capacity at an individual level.

Configuração organizacional e o desenvolvimento da capacidade absortiva: relações e influências

Objective: to analyze the existing relationships between typologies of organizational configurations with the development of absorptive capacity. Methodology: empirical research of an applied nature, Qualitative and descriptive approach. Data were collected through interviews with a structured script and analyzed using the content analysis technique. Originality: Offers explanations of how organizational settings influence the development of ACAP. Main results: the simple structure configuration favors the recognition capacity and limits the assimilation and application capacity. The bureaucratic machine favors the capacity for recognition and assimilation, and limits application. Professional bureaucracy limits the capacity for recognition and application and favors assimilation. In the divided form, the capacity for recognition and assimilation is favored, and the capacity for application is limited. In adhocracy the ability of recognition, assimilation and application are favored. Theoretical contributions: the evidence indicates a fruitful and significant relationship between the constructs, a fact that allows us to understand the organizational configuration as an important antecedent of ACAP.

Asymmetric Association among Technological Spillover, Absorptive Capacity and Economic Development: A NARDL Approach

The spillover of external research and development (R&D) capital stock and the level of domestic human capital, as a source of absorptive capacity, plays a vital role in stimulating economic growth and development. The objective of this study is to examine the asymmetric associations among human capital, R&D stock spillover, capital import intensity, and output growth in Pakistan over the period 1982 to 2020. For this purpose, we develop and estimate a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NAR DL) model. The results of the bounds test confirm the presence of a long run relationship, while the error correction model confirms the convergence from short run to long run equilibrium among the variables. The impact of machinery and technological good imports is positive on per capita GDP in the long run. In contrast, the impact of external R&D capital stock is symmetric in the short but becomes negative in the long run. The relationship between human capital and per capita GDP appears to be asymmetric because of low spending in the education sector. Based on these findings, we suggest that Pakistan should enhance its share of imports of high tech products and improve its absorptive capacity for the effective use of external R&D resources.

Optimizing Internal Audit and Control System Through Absorptive Capacity Development

The business environment becomes increasingly complex, organizations must find ways to optimize their internal audit and control systems to keep pace with the changing landscape. Developing absorptive capacity can play a critical role in achieving this goal. By identifying, assimilating and utilizing new knowledge, organizations can improve their internal audit and control systems and increase their chances of success in today's rapidly changing environment. The findings of this research will provide valuable insights for practitioners and researchers on how to improve internal audit and control systems through the development of absorptive capacity. Organizations that can develop their absorptive capacity will be better equipped to identify new risks and opportunities, assimilate new information and technologies, and utilize this knowledge to improve their internal audit and control systems.

The Effect of Outward FDI on Capabilities of Sustained Innovation: Evidence from China

Based on theoretical analysis, this paper examines the impact of China’s outward foreign direct investment on regional capabilities of sustainable innovation. Empirical tests are used to analyze the mechanism of OFDI in regional capabilities of sustainable innovation. OFDI’s impact on sustainable innovation is tested through the fixed effect, mediation effect, and threshold effect models by using provincial panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2008 to 2019. The results show that OFDI promotes regional capabilities of sustained innovation. Moreover, the effect of OFDI on sustainable innovation is found to be mediated by regional human capital accumulation. Furthermore, this study also finds that regional absorptive capacity and financial market development are two significant threshold variables in the process by which OFDI affects sustainable innovation. Before the threshold variables exceed the threshold level, OFDI encourages sustainable innovation, but this positive association becomes stronger after threshold variables reach the threshold level. The results have strong policy implications, which will be useful for local governments to make policies with the aim to maximize the benefits of OFDI and encourage sustainable innovation.

Export Trade, Absorptive Capacity, and High-Quality Economic Development in China

Exports are a crucial driving force of China’s economic growth; however, researchers have yet to verify whether they can effectively improve the high-quality economic development. Based on interprovincial panel data from 2000 to 2019, in this study, we constructed a high-quality economic development indicator system through the entropy weight method, and we adopted the linear regression model and dynamic panel threshold model to empirically test the export trade effect on the high-quality economic development as well as its mechanism. We also probed the impact of the heterogeneous absorptive capacity on the high-quality economic development. According to our research findings, China’s export trade has substantially promoted the high-quality economic development level by, from the viewpoint of the action path, positively influencing the economic, open, and coordination subsystems. The influence of the export trade on the high-quality economic development has a substantial single-threshold effect on the heterogeneous absorptive capacity; that is, when the threshold variables that represent the regional absorptive capacity (the economic level, R&D intensity, and technological gap) are all higher than the threshold value, the export trade has a substantial positive impact on the high-quality economic development level. The research conclusions of this paper provide new ideas for the development of high-quality economic systems as well as a useful reference for China in its formulation of more targeted foreign trade policies.

Low-carbon innovation, economic growth, and CO2 emissions: evidence from a dynamic spatial panel approach in China.

Low-carbon innovation plays an essential role in carbon reduction worldwide. This study investigates the nexus between low-carbon innovation, economic growth, and carbon emissions by the dynamic spatial Durbin model from 2007 to 2020. First, the Moran index results verify the provincial spatial agglomeration of carbon emissions. High-emission provinces concentrate in major economic zones and energy extraction areas. Second, the effect decomposition results show that long-term and short-term effects are consistent. Low-carbon innovation has a significant mitigation effect on carbon emissions in local regions, which effect, however, is not significant in the adjacent areas. The environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis is validated locally, but all provinces and cities have not reached the inflection point of the environmental Kuznets curve, and the linkage effect in adjacent regions remains insignificant. The above results have been tested to be robust. Third, the results of the mechanism analysis show that environmental policies, absorptive capacity, and financial development play a moderating role in the relationship between low-carbon innovation and carbon emissions. Finally, the heterogeneity test showed significant differences between Eastern, Central, and Western. The direct effect of low-carbon innovation exists in Eastern and central regions; the spillover effect of low-carbon innovation is only in the eastern region. In addition, corresponding measures are proposed based on the conclusions.

Development of small intestine and sugar absorptive capacity in goslings during pre- and post-hatching periods

This study was conducted to investigate the development patterns of small intestine, intestinal morphology, disaccharidase activities, and sugar transporter gene expression in goslings during pre- and post-hatching periods. Small intestine was sampled on embryonic d 23 and 27, day of hatch, and d 1, 4, and 7 post-hatching. A total of 18 eggs with the breed of Jilin White geese were selected at each sampling timepoint for measuring relevant parameters. Three eggs were considered as a group, with 6 groups in each sampling timepoint. Rapid development of small intestine was observed around the hatching, of which jejunum and ileum had relatively higher development rates. Villus surface area from three intestinal segments started to increase on embryonic d 27, and kept relatively stable during day of hatch to d 1 post-hatching, and following increased till d 7 post-hatching. A high priority of villi enrichment was observed in duodenum and jejunum. The activity of disaccharidase increased before hatching and kept relatively high-level post-hatching, of which the activity of disaccharidase was highest in jejunum. The expression of sugar transporter gene increased prior to hatching and then decreased post-hatching, of which jejunum and duodenum were sites with high sugar transporter gene expression. Rapid development in intestinal morphology, disaccharidase activities, and sugar transporter gene expression around the hatching indicated that goslings have high potential to digest and/or assimilate carbohydrates during its early-life, which provided a preparation for further digestion of exogenous feed. This study provided a profile of development patterns for intestinal morphology, disaccharidase activities, and sugar transporter gene expression in goslings, which was beneficial to understanding the characteristics of nutrient absorption during the early-life of goslings.

Does effectuation make innovative digital multi-sided platform startups? An investigation of entrepreneurial behavior in platform-based open innovation

PurposeThis research investigates the nature of regulatory-focused effectuation (as the basis of entrepreneurial behavior) in absorptive capacity development for open innovation implementation, the role of crowds or communities management practices in the effectuation-based open innovation process, and open innovation performance as the output of the open innovation process in digital multi-sided platform (MSP) startups context.Design/methodology/approachIn order to verify the hypothesis, the researcher conducts a quantitative study that is based on a self-administered questionnaire and employs the PLS-SEM approach. The sample comprises of 70 Indonesian digital MSP businesses that have been operational for at least three years and have used open innovation approaches with their audiences, communities or complementors.FindingsThe research findings imply that there is a connection between promotion-focused effectuation and the open innovation process. This connection is particularly strong when it comes to the incorporation of absorptive capacity and crowds or communities management practices. On the other hand, prevention-focused effectuation shows insignificant effect toward open innovation process in digital MSP startups context.Research limitations/implicationsThe research findings imply that with limited resources and experiences, young entrepreneurs can still implement open innovation strategy for their digital MSP platform through effectuation principles that leverage the external resources from digital platform ecosystem members.Practical implicationsIn digital MSP startups context that perform promotion-based effectuation principles, innovation performance can be achieved by analyzing new insight, transforming the existing activities with the new insight, creating new offering afterward, as well as strengthening crowds or communities management practices through co-creation activities with platform ecosystem members that may lead into new business model.Originality/valueThe originality of this work is to make a contribution to the literature on strategic entrepreneurship by describing the phenomena of the paradox of resource-based theory; adopting open innovation strategy under constrained initial resources and capabilities scenario.

Estimating a panel MSK dataset for comparative analyses of national absorptive capacity systems, economic growth, and development in low and middle income countries.

Within the national innovation system literature, the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) eligible for the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) support, are rarely part of empirical discourses on growth, development, and innovation. One major issue hindering empirical analyses in LMICs is the lack of complete data availability. This work offers a new full panel dataset with no missing values for IDA-eligible LMICs. I use a standard, widely respected multiple imputation method (specifically, Predictive Mean Matching) developed by Rubin in the 1980s, which conforms to the structure of multivariate continuous panel data at the country level. The incomplete input data consisting of many variables come from publicly available established sources. These variables, in turn, capture six crucial country-level capacities: technological capacity, financial capacity, human capital capacity, infrastructural capacity, public policy capacity, and social capacity. Such capacities are part and parcel of the National Absorptive Capacity Systems (NACS). The dataset (MSK dataset) thus produced contains data on 47 variables for 82 LMICs between 2005 and 2019. The dataset has passed a quality and reliability check and can therefore be used for comparative analyses of national absorptive capacities and development, transition, and convergence among LMICs.

Quality functions' use of customer feedback as activation triggers for absorptive capacity and value co-creation

PurposeThe purpose is to understand how the role of quality functions might evolve amidst digitalisation and an increased focus on services. This study focuses on customer feedback and how it can function as activation triggers for developing absorptive capacity, as well as how it relates to the value creation processes.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a qualitative research design, the authors gathered primary data from interviews with quality managers at 17 UK and Swedish firms and triangulated it with secondary information from the firms' web pages.FindingsThe findings show that customer feedback-based activation triggers can support development of absorptive capacity in the quality function if there are established processes for acting on customer feedback. This is often the case for codified feedback, which normally concerns products. However, digitalisation offers new opportunities of engaging in value co-creation, and firms need to develop digital capabilities to manage new technologies and data analytic tools. For personalised feedback (the main category of service-related feedback), established processes are missing.Originality/valueThis study work contributes to knowledge about how quality functions respond to customer feedback on both products and services. It clarifies why the quality function sometimes struggles to contribute to service quality as much as to product quality. From a theory development perspective, the authors contribute to understanding customer feedback-based activation triggers, how they lead to development of absorptive capacity and their relation to value co-creation on a functional level.

Supplier absorptive capacity: learning via boundary objects in sustainability-oriented supplier development initiatives

PurposeTo study the learning processes and mechanisms involved in sustainability-oriented supplier development (SSD), including how knowledge is transmitted by the buyer and how it is received, understood and internalised by the supplier.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory longitudinal multi-case study approach is adopted. The research context is a social SSD project focusing on occupational health and safety (OHS) management at four supplier factories. The paper draws on the constructs of absorptive capacity and boundary objects.FindingsThe development of a supplier's absorptive capacity for OHS management is triggered by the transfer of boundary objects that are created by the buyer. Findings suggest that each supplier starts explorative learning in a similar and passive way in order to accept the knowledge, but then each supplier proactively transforms and exploits the knowledge through continuous sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring loops that develop the boundary objects in a way that fits their own needs and contexts, incorporating the objects into organisational structures and routines.Research limitations/implicationsThe research furthers the understanding of the development of supplier absorptive capacity for sustainability via SSD projects, including how it is triggered and sustained. The impact of ostensive and performative aspects of boundary objects on knowledge transfer is presented. Finally, insight is provided into how absorptive capacity and dynamic capabilities are linked in the context of SSD.Practical implicationsBuying firms should seek to develop boundary objects that can trigger and maintain learning momentum for sustainability at supplier organisations in addition to effectively transferring SSD-related sustainability knowledge. There is also a need to allow for sufficient flexibility in the design of the boundary objects, and to pay sufficient attention to how suppliers contextualise and embed them into their own organisations, providing support for this process where necessary. For the supplier, establishing structures and routines for OHS management can help to prepare for future audits, thereby reducing audit fatigue.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the supply chain learning literature by exploring the development of supplier absorptive capacity for sustainability triggered by the focal buying firm. It sheds new light on the role of boundary objects for facilitating knowledge transfer and learning between supply chain members in the context of SSD projects.

Structural process model of absorptive capacity for stakeholder’s integration in decision-making: dynamic capability perspective

PurposeThis paper aims to present empirical test to analyse a structural process model based on the constructs of absorptive capacity considering sustainability aspects. It integrates dynamic capability perspective to strengthen the existing literature. Findings of the study may help organisations to renovate business processes related to absorptive capacity and improve decision-making considering sustainability attributes.Design/methodology/approachSample for data analysis covers 389 managers of firms demonstrating some traits of sustainability orientation and operating in a developing economy like India. Structural equation modelling is applied to test a casual model.FindingsResult of this study reveals that a formal system that drives knowledge sharing, storing and exploitation of knowledge, a structured way to appropriate and reward intellectual property rights can be fundamental to development of absorptive capacity. Such a system conducive to knowledge exploration and acquisition must lead to exploration of new knowledge sources and new knowledge. A firm’s knowledge acquisition system shall be able to deliver to acquire external as well as internal knowledge spread across departments.Research limitations/implicationsThis study considers commercial output as an aspect of innovative capability, so this attribute is not included in absorptive capacity.Practical implicationsThe study may help organisations to develop a systemic approach to evolve decision-making and develop suitable processes linked to absorptive capacity considering sustainability challenges and uncertain market conditions.Social implicationsThe study presents a comprehensive view of absorptive capacity considering societal stakeholder’s knowledge in addition to technological and market knowledge.Originality/valueThere are hardly any research articles which link absorptive capacity, dynamic capability and sustainability strategies.

The impact of big data analytics on organizational sustainability: The influencing factors of autonomous research and development and absorptive capacity

This study aims to see how the big data analytics capability (BDAC) and its dimensions affect the absorptive capacity and autonomous R&D of high-speed railways. As well as their impact on the organization’s long-term sustainability, using the mediation of absorptive capacity and autonomy in R&D. Employees and the heads of the planning, HR, R&D, and technical departments of high-speed railways were polled for information. For data analysis, we used PLS-SEM, and then we employed mediation analysis. BDAC increases the organization’s ability to tolerate change and gives management instructions on making decisions. This study adds to the body of knowledge on absorptive capacity development and autonomy over R&D activities by investigating the role of BDAC in the long-term development of high-speed trains.

Le déclenchement de la capacité d’absorption : pourquoi le rôle de « knowledge broker » du dirigeant de PME et de quatre mécanismes organisationnels sont-ils critiques ?

Several articles call for more integrative models dealing with the identification of ACAP antecedents. Along with this idea, there is a growing need for further investigation to better approach the triggering of a knowledge absorption sequence. The objective is to highlight the impact of different organizational mechanisms as well as the knowledge broker role of SME CEOs in triggering and developing absorptive capacity. This study reveals on one hand the critical role of SME CEOs in triggering a knowledge absorption sequence. On the other hand, results underline that knowledge formalization and the codification of behaviors are effective mechanisms for the development of absorptive capacity.