The purpose of this perspective paper is to advance understanding of absorptive capacity, its underlying dimensions, its multilevel antecedents, its impact on firm performance, and the contextual factors that affect absorptive capacity. Twenty years after the Cohen and Levinthal 1990 paper, the field is characterized by a wide array of theoretical perspectives and a wealth of empirical evidence. In this paper, we first review these underlying theories and empirical studies of absorptive capacity. Given the size and diversity of the absorptive capacity literature, we subsequently map the existing terrain of research through a bibliometric analysis. The resulting bibliometric cartography shows the major discrepancies in the organization field, namely that (1) most attention so far has been focused on the tangible outcomes of absorptive capacity; (2) organizational design and individual level antecedents have been relatively neglected in the absorptive capacity literature; and (3) the emergence of absorptive capacity from the actions and interactions of individual, organizational, and interorganizational antecedents remains unclear. Building on the bibliometric analysis, we develop an integrative model that identifies the multilevel antecedents, process dimensions, and outcomes of absorptive capacity as well as the contextual factors that affect absorptive capacity. We argue that realizing the potential of the absorptive capacity concept requires more research that shows how “micro-antecedents” and “macro-antecedents” influence future outcomes such as competitive advantage, innovation, and firm performance. In particular, we identify conceptual gaps that may guide future research to fully exploit the absorptive capacity concept in the organization field and to explore future fruitful extensions of the concept.

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PERSPECTIVE---Absorbing the Concept of Absorptive Capacity: How to Realize Its Potential in the Organization Field

Partnerships between companies receive a great deal of attention from top managers and researchers at the time of their formation. This attention results largely from the common perception that the initial structuring of partnerships and establishment of common goals determines partnership outcomes and success. In Alliance Advantage, Doz and Hamel shift the focus away from deal making to the internal processes within the partnership and the unfolding interactions among partners that play an important and relatively unexplored role in shaping outcomes. Focusing on the underlying reasons why companies enter alliances and the processes by which they continually learn from their interactions and re-evaluate common--and individual--goals, the authors paint a sophisticated picture of alliance dynamics over time. The authors challenge organizations to define their objectives for alliance formulation and consider whether their own corporate culture provides an "alliance ready" atmosphere.

Alliance advantage : the art of creating value through partnering

The theory of the growth of the firm

The original edition of this book summarized more than a decade of work on communications flow in science and engineering organizations, showing how human and organizational systems could be restructured to bring about improved productivity and better person-to-person contact. While many studies have been done since then, few of them invalidate the general conclusions and recommendations Allen offers. In a new preface he points out new developments, noting areas that need some modification, elaboration, or extension, and directing readers to the appropriate journal articles where the findings, are reported. The first three chapters provide an overview of the communication system in technology, present the author's research methods, and describe differences in the career paths and goals of engineers and scientists that cause special problems for organizations. The book then discusses how technological information is acquired by the R & D organization, shows how critical technical communication within the laboratory is for R & D performance, and originates the idea of the \"gatekeeper,\" the person who links his or her organization to the world at large. Concluding chapters take up the influence of formal and informal organization and of architecture and office layouts on communication. Many of these ideas have been successfully incorporated by architects and managers in the design of new R & D facilities and complexes. Suggested Citation Handle: RePEc:mtp:titles:0262510278 Download reference as HTML Thomas J. Allen, 1984. \"Managing the Flow of Technology: Technology Transfer and the Dissemination of Technological Information Within the R&D Organization,\" MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262510278, November. More services and features MyIDEAS Follow serials, authors, keywords & more New papers by email Subscribe to new additions to RePEc Author registration Public profiles for Economics researchers MPRA Upload your paper to be listed on RePEc and IDEAS EconAcademics Blog aggregator for economics research Plagiarism Cases of plagiarism in Economics Rankings Various rankings of research in Economics & related fields RePEc Genealogy Who was a student of whom, using RePEc RePEc Biblio Curated articles & papers on various economics topics Job market papers RePEc working paper series dedicated to the job market Fantasy league Pretend you are at the helm of an economics department Services from the StL Fed Data, research, apps & more from the St. Louis Fed IDEAS is a RePEc service hosted by the Research Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis . RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.

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Managing the Flow of Technology: Technology Transfer and the Dissemination of Technological Information Within the R&D Organization (Book Review)

The purpose of this Perspective Paper is to advance understanding of absorptive capacity, its underlying dimensions, its multi-level antecedents, its impact on firm performance and the contextual factors that affect absorptive capacity. Nineteen years after the Cohen and Levinthal 1990 paper, the field is characterized by a wide array of theoretical perspectives and a wealth of empirical evidence. In this paper, we first review these underlying theories and empirical studies of absorptive capacity. Given the size and diversity of the absorptive capacity literature, we subsequently map the existing terrain of research through a bibliometric analysis. The resulting bibliometric cartography shows the major discrepancies in the organization field, namely that (1) most attention so far has been focused on the tangible outcomes of absorptive capacity; (2) organizational design and individual level antecedents have been relatively neglected in the absorptive capacity literature; and (3) the emergence of absorptive ccapacity from the actions and interactions of individual, organizational and inter-organizational antecedents remains unclear. Building on the bibliometric analysis, we develop an integrative model that identifies the multi-level antecedents, process dimensions, and outcomes of absorptive capacity as well as the contextual factors that affect absorptive capacity. We argue that realizing the potential of the absorptive capacity concept requires more research that shows how “micro antecedents” and “macroantecedents” influence future outcomes such as competitive advantage, innovation, and firm performance. In particular, we identify conceptual gaps that may guide future research to fully exploit the absorptive capacity concept in the organization field and to explore future fruitful extensions of the concept.

/pdf/absorbing-the-concept-of-absorptive-capacity-how-to-realize-do0fkefwd6.pdf

Absorbing the Concept of Absorptive Capacity: How to Realize Its Potential in the Organization Field

Utilising the dynamic capabilities perspective, this study examines the role of collaborative capability in R&D alliances with a focus on the interplay between organisational- and individual-level mechanisms. Collaborative capability has predominantly been conceptualised and analysed from a firm- level perspective, whereas the individual-level mechanisms that enable this ability to develop and flourish have been neglected. We explore the development of Novozymes' 'Partnering Project' and show how individual-level factors, such as competence development, work in concert with organisational-level strategic and structural mechanisms in creating collaborative capability. Based on an in-depth case study and a review of the literature, we propose a framework to explain the multi-dimensional nature of collaborative capabilities in R&D alliances. Our study shows how firms may benefit from increased attention to the interaction between individual- and organisational-level issues, captured via a partnering mindset, when designing R&D alliances.

Collaborative capability in R&D alliances: exploring the link between organisational- and individual-level factors

Collaborative capability has predominantly been conceptualized and analyzed from a firm-level perspective, paying inadequate attention to the individual level mechanisms that enable this ability to develop and flourish. Utilizing the dynamic capabilities perspective, we suggest that antecedents of collaborative capabilities can be found at the organizational and individual level. Hence, this study examines the role of collaborative capability in R&D alliances with particular focus on the interplay between organizational and individual level mechanisms. We explore the development of Novozymes' Partnering Project and show how individual level factors work in concert with organizational level mechanisms in creating collaborative capability. Based on the in-depth case study and a review of the extant literature, we propose a framework for explaining the multi-dimensional nature of collaborative capabilities in R&D alliances and show how firms can benefit from increased attention to the interaction between individual and organizational level issues when designing R&D alliances.

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Collaborative Capability in R&D Alliances: Exploring the Link between Organizational and Individual Level Factors

Organizational and individual level antecedents of procedural governance in knowledgde sharing alliances

This chapter provides a better understanding of effective multi-directional knowledge flows between alliance partners, facilitated by procedural governance. We propose that procedural governance is positively related to knowledge sharing in alliances, and argue that antecedents of procedural governance are either individual or organizational in nature. Procedural governance is formed by the interplay between strategic and structural resources at the organizational level and willingness and abilities at the individual level. We develop a theoretical model for explaining the mediating role of procedural governance in the relationship between individual and organizational level antecedents. Our model leads to a series of propositions and we conclude by offering managerial implications and future research directions.

Antecedents of Procedural Governance in Knowledge—Sharing Alliances

In this paper, we lean on experiences from South Africa as a point of departure for discussing the unrealized potentials and complications of applying collaborative, transformative citizen science (CS). We first show the value of exploring community-based ecological restoration and artistic approaches in ecological and development research. Building on these empirical insights, we outline ideas for integrating CS into such research, not only to collect additional data, but as a way to increase incentives and capacities among both CS participants and researchers, and to change mindsets across time and institutional scales. Multiple interlinked Sustainable Development Goals are within reach, exemplified by the monitoring and advancement of Clean Water, Life on Land, and Sustainable Cities and Communities&mdash;critical goals to address current and prospective demographic and climatic changes in the context of fast-expanding urban environments and beyond. 

/pdf/citizen-science-beyond-science-a-collaborative-approach-for-1pyq7ypn.pdf

Line Gry Knudsen

Papers

Collaborative capability in R&D alliances: exploring the link between organisational- and individual-level factors

Collaborative Capability in R&D Alliances: Exploring the Link between Organizational and Individual Level Factors

Organizational and individual level antecedents of procedural governance in knowledgde sharing alliances

Antecedents of Procedural Governance in Knowledge—Sharing Alliances

Citizen Science beyond Science: A Collaborative Approach for Transformative Sustainable Development