Absorptive capacity and disaster immunity: the mediating role of information quality and change management capability

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kiarash Sadeghi ◽  
Elisabeth Struckell ◽  
Divesh Ojha ◽  
David Nowicki
Keyword(s):  
Change Management ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Capability

Purpose Service organization supply chains provide a context that amplifies the complexity of interorganizational interdependencies and the need to build unique capabilities and innovative solutions, especially when confronted with man-made or natural disasters. Using the lens of complex adaptive systems (CAS), this study aims to investigate the role of absorptive capacity (AC), change management capability and information quality in improving a firm’s ability to cope with disasters – disaster immunity (DI). The study uniquely parses absorptive capacity into a three-variable, second-order construct (absorptive human resource management, absorptive complementary knowledge and absorptive infrastructure). Design/methodology/approach Using data collected from 264 US service firms in a supply chain context, this paper evaluates the research model using the structural equation modeling approach. Findings The second-order, three-dimensional framework for AC has far superior psychometric properties as compared to the previous unidimensional conceptualizations. Results show that AC influences a firm’s DI through change management capability and information quality – two DI enhancing resources. Originality/value The paper builds on previous conceptual discussions of absorptive capacity as a multidimensional construct by operationalizing AC as a latent variable with three dimensions (above). Moreover, this paper shows that AC, change management capability, information quality and DI are interrelated parts of a CAS.

Strategy in the era of “swans”: the role of strategic leadership under uncertainty and unpredictability

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Adobor ◽  
William Phanuel Kofi Darbi ◽  
Obi Berko O. Damoah
Keyword(s):  
Mental Models ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Strategic Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complexity Leadership ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Strategic Leaders ◽  
Impact Events

PurposeThe purpose of this conceptual paper is to explore the role of strategic leadership under conditions of uncertainty and unpredictability. The authors argue that highly improbable, but high-impact events require the upper echelons of management, traditionally the custodians of strategy formulation to offer a new kind of strategic leadership focused on new mindsets, organizational capabilities, more in tune with high uncertainty and unpredictability.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on strategic leadership, and complexity leadership theory, the authors review the literature and present a conceptual framework for exploring the nature of strategic leadership under uncertainty. The authors conceptualize organizations as complex adaptive systems and discuss the imperatives for developing new mental models for emergent leadership.FindingsStrategic leaders have a key role to play in preparing their organizations for episodic disruptions. These include developing their adaptive capabilities and building resilient organizations to ensure their organizations cannot only bounce back after a disruption but have the capacity for transformation to new fitness levels when necessary. Strategic leaders must engage with complexity leadership by seeing their organizations as complex adaptive systems, reconfigure their leadership approaches and organizations to build strategic adaptive capability.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a conceptual paper and the authors cannot make any claims of causality.Practical implicationsOrganizational leaders need to reconfigure their mental models and leadership approaches to reflect the new normal of uncertainty and unpredictability. Developing the strategic adaptive capability of organizations should prepare them for dealing with high impact events. To assure business continuity in the face of disruptions requires building flexible, adaptable business models.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on how managers can offer strategic leadership for a new normal that challenges some of our most cherished leadership and strategic management paradigms. The authors explore the new mental models and leadership models in an era of great uncertainty.

Intellectual capital and business performance: the role of dimensions of absorptive capacity

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Saad Ahmed ◽  
Jia Guozhu ◽  
Shujaat Mubarik ◽  
Mumtaz Khan ◽  
Essa Khan
Keyword(s):  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Realized Absorptive Capacity

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the mediating role of potential and realized absorptive capacity in intellectual capital (IC) and business performance. It also investigates the direct impact of the components of IC on business performance. Design/methodology/approach Partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to assess the effect of IC dimensions on performance and to analyze the mediating role of absorptive capacity in this relationship. Data were collected from 192 managers using a survey questionnaire with Likert scale items. Findings The findings of the study show that potential absorptive capacity does not intervene in the relationship between the components of IC and those of business performance. However, realized absorptive capacity, measured as the transformation and exploitation of knowledge, played a positive mediating role in the relationship between the dimensions of IC and those of business performance. Social capital was also noted as a weak predictor of business performance, while human capital and organizational capital had a profound positive influence. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on IC by examining the role of realized and potential absorptive capacity in the relationship between IC components and firm performance. This research also helps practitioners recognize the importance of transformation and the exploitation of knowledge for business performance.

Consumer engagement with eWOM on social media: the role of social capital

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 482-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaniv Gvili ◽  
Shalom Levy
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Consumer Engagement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Order Construct ◽  
Channel Type

Purpose The nature of digital media channels are important factors in explaining consumers’ behavior over the Web, and specifically on social network sites (SNS). The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework explaining consumer engagement with electronic word of mouth (eWOM) communication via SNS, based on key attributes of this media channel. Design/methodology/approach Based on the expectancy value theory (EVT), a conceptual framework is proposed to model the effect of eWOM channel attributes on eWOM engagement process. Consumer eWOM engagement is conceptualized as a second-order construct. A structural equation modeling procedure was employed to empirically test the model using data collected from two social media communication channels. Findings First, results suggest that engagement with eWOM can be conceptualized as a second-order construct based on user tendency to receive or share eWOM with other network members. Second, the path analysis model supports the employment of EVT and shows that two key attributes of eWOM channels, social capital and credibility, significantly affect consumer attitude toward eWOM via SNS. Attitude toward eWOM, in turn, affects eWOM engagement. Third, SNS channel type moderates the effect on attitude. Practical implications Marketing communication practitioners should note that the strength of social ties plays a key role in spreading eWOM on SNS effectively. This insight should be employed a part of social media marketing strategy. Originality/value This is first research that models the effect of social media attributes on eWOM engagement and demonstrates the moderating role of channel type. The model is highly valuable in light of the importance of the concept of engagement in internet research.

scholarly journals Effects of absorptive capacity and innovation spillover on manufacturing flexibility

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
José Pinheiro ◽  
Luis Filipe Lages ◽  
Graça Miranda Silva ◽  
Alvaro Lopes Dias ◽  
Miguel T. Preto
Keyword(s):  
Market Orientation ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Manufacturing Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Production Cycles ◽  
Exploratory Innovation ◽  
Positive Effect

PurposeShifting demand and ever-shorter production cycles pressure manufacturing flexibility. Although the literature has established the positive effect of the firm's absorptive capacity on manufacturing flexibility, the separate role of the innovation competencies of exploitation and exploration in such a relationship is still under-investigated. In this study, the authors examine how these competencies affect manufacturing flexibility.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use survey data from 370 manufacturing firms and analyze them using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB–SEM).FindingsThe results indicate that absorptive capacity has a strong, positive and direct effect on exploitative and exploratory innovation competencies, proactive and responsive market orientations, and manufacturing flexibility. The authors’ findings also demonstrate that the exploitative innovation competencies mediate the relation between responsive market orientation and manufacturing flexibility. Essentially, these exploitative innovation competencies produce a direct positive effect on manufacturing flexibility while simultaneously being a vehicle for absorptive capacity's indirect effects on it. An exploration innovation strategy does not significantly affect manufacturing flexibility.Originality/valueThis study contributes by combining key strategic features of firms with manufacturing flexibility, while providing new empirical evidence of the mediation of the exploitative innovation competencies in the relation between responsive market orientation and manufacturing flexibility.

Relationships among absorptive capacity, creativity and job performance: the moderating role of social media usage

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huseyin Ince ◽  
Salih Zeki Imamoglu ◽  
Hulya Turkcan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Moderating Role

PurposeThis paper investigates the impact of absorptive capacity (ACAP) on creativity and the effect of creativity on job performance. Further, the study investigates the moderating role of social media usage on the ACAP–creativity link and the creativity–job performance link. Accordingly, drawing on the ACAP perspective and social exchange theory (SET), the study develops a conceptual model and tests the proposed relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe paper empirically tests the developed model using 512 survey responses from research and development (R&D) employees. Data were factor analyzed, and path estimates were determined using structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results reveal that (1) individual ACAP is positively related to creativity; (2) creativity is positively associated with job performance and (3) social media usage positively moderates the relationship between individual ACAP and creativity.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the ACAP and creativity literature by establishing a comprehensive and empirically grounded framework that enlightens the relationships between ACAP, creativity, job performance and the moderating role of social media usage.

Challenges, trust and performance in virtual teams: examining the role of openness to experience and preference for virtual teams

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Zaharie
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Personality Trait ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Openness To Experience ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Show Evidence

Purpose Building on the complex adaptive systems (CAS) framework, this paper aims to investigate the detrimental effect of virtual teams’ (VTs) challenges and the upholding role of trust on the members’ ratings of VTs’ performance. Also, the study examines the mediating role of the preferences for VTs and investigates the moderating function of the openness to experience personality trait on the relationship between challenges, trust and preference for VTs. Design/methodology/approach Cross-sectional survey data were collected from a sample of 498 university students in Romania and path analysis was used for data analysis. Findings The results show evidence of the harmful effect of VTs’ challenges on members’ ratings of VTs’ performance and reveal that trust boosts members’ ratings of VTs’ performance. The findings highlight the mediating role of members’ preference for VTs and show evidence that the openness to experience personality trait strengthens the negative effect of the challenges on members’ preference for VTs. Research limitations/implications Given the cross-sectional design of the study, inferences regarding the causal relationship between the variables cannot be made, and further longitudinal research is called for. Originality/value The study builds on the CAS framework and addresses the call for research to explore the variables that might contribute or impede VTs’ performance.

The nexus between entrepreneurial orientation and performance: enabling roles of absorptive capacity

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismail Raisal ◽  
Arun Kumar Tarofder ◽  
Aboobucker Ilmudeen
Keyword(s):  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Medium Enterprises

PurposeDeveloping countries’ economic growth very much depend on the successful performance of entrepreneurial-oriented firms. Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is a valuable conjecturer of firm success. This study mainly focuses on analyzing the effect of EO on the firm performance (FP) with the mediating role of absorptive capacity (ACAP).Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypothetical model, we collected 226 valid responses from senior managers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The structural equation modeling technique is performed and research hypotheses are validated.FindingsThe findings show that the strong causal relations exit between EO, ACAP and FP. In brief, EO was found to be a predictor of ACAP, and ACAP has a strong positive impact on FP. Moreover, ACAP substantiated to be a mediator between EO and FP.Research limitations/implicationsA notable ramification of this finding is that for SMEs to enhance their performance via EO, the presence of ACAP as a mediator is essential.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study can be used as a basis to consider EO to increase firms' level of ACAP and to enhance FP. As a whole, the findings offer pragmatic insights for SMEs and pertinent stakeholders.Originality/valueSo far, little is known about the interrelationship between EO, ACAP and FP. Importantly, the mediating role of ACAP between EO and FP has remained unexplored. This study fills this gap in the existing literature.

Managerial ties and open innovation: examining the role of absorptive capacity

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 2256-2276 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Muzamil Naqshbandi
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Managerial Ties ◽  
Realized Absorptive Capacity

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and test an integrated model to examine the relationship between managerial ties and two types of open innovation (OI). It takes into account the mediating role of realized absorptive capacity and explains how a firm’s ability to recognize the value of new information, assimilate it and apply it to commercial ends can facilitate OI. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 259 middle and top managers working across different sectors in the United Arab Emirates. Findings Results obtained using structural equation modeling show that managerial ties facilitate both in-bound and out-bound OI. Results also establish the mediating role of realized absorptive capacity in these relationships. Research limitations/implications Use of cross-sectional data as was done in this study has been criticized for being inappropriate to test causal models. Besides the findings may not be generalizable to different industries/cultures/regions. Practical implications This study suggests that managerial ties act to support OI in firms thus giving the insight that managers should be appreciated to build ties with managers of other firms, universities and government officials. Doing so can help firms achieve better OI outcomes. Firms should arrange means of interaction of their managers with these external knowledge sources such as events and occasions where managers of different firms can interact with each other to foster strong ties among them. Originality/value The above findings contribute theoretically to OI and managerial ties literature while providing insights for practitioners on how to succeed or avoid failure in their OI initiatives. These insights are novel and are new to the OI and managerial ties theory.

The role of absorptive capacity and organizational unlearning in the link between social media and service dominant orientation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Ortega-Gutiérrez ◽  
Ignacio Cepeda-Carrión ◽  
Helena Alves
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Absorption Capacity ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to study the relationship between the knowledge obtained in social networks by firms together with the firms’ knowledge absorptive capacity and organizational unlearning as influencers of service-dominant (S-D) orientation, as well as the mediating role of absorption capacity and organizational unlearning in this process. Design/methodology/approach The sample amounts to 101 responding companies, obtained from the SABI database. The companies belong to the service sector in Spain and have at least 50 employees and 5 years or more of existence in the market. The model was estimated through partial least squares structural equation modeling with smartPLS software 3.2.6. Findings The results show that the use of social media is very important for firms to acquire knowledge and capabilities that help them to become S-D oriented. In addition, absorptive capacity and unlearning processes are dynamic capabilities necessary to transform the knowledge acquired in social media and to become S-D oriented. Research limitations/implications Companies’ managers draw conclusions that can generate great value, while better meeting the needs and desires of the market, the more knowledge is obtained. In addition, the use of the knowledge generated in this process will reduce the risk of sudden changes in the market. Practical implications The more knowledge is gained using social networks, the better the companies’ managers will be able to draw conclusions that can generate great value, while at the same time better satisfying the needs and desires of the market, and thus create capacities that allow the company to be service-oriented. In addition, the use of these knowledge platforms strengthens the strategic advantage of companies through the promotion of innovation and by relating dynamic capabilities with the orientation toward sustainable development. As mentioned above, a process will be generated that will reduce the risk of sudden changes in the market. Originality/value This is one of the few studies trying to study the antecedents of S-D orientation and the first to study the direct effect of social media use, and the direct and indirect effect of absorptive capacity and organizational unlearning on S-D orientation as dynamic capabilities.

Demystifying the role of internal dynamics in the path of innovative competitiveness: a serial mediation model of international joint ventures

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijita Aggarwal ◽  
Madhavi Kapoor
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Joint Ventures ◽  
International Joint Ventures ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Internal Dynamics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organizational Competencies ◽  
International Joint

PurposeThe study proposes and evaluates a parsimonious research framework by integrating the major strategic theories related to an international firm's internal dynamics. This research's essence lies in the proposition that organizational competencies, knowledge resources and processes, absorptive capacity and innovativeness form the underlying base for sustainable competitive advantage in this dynamic world.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional explanatory research design is adopted. Using the quantitative data obtained from the sample of Indian international joint ventures (IJVs), partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is deployed to confirm the proposed relationships among the research constructs. Finally, qualitative interviews helped in triangulating the primary survey's results.FindingsA well-established relationship between knowledge transfer and innovation is negated by the Indian IJVs' data, which is delved deeper with cross-industry qualitative analysis. The novel hierarchical model with multiple mediations has nurtured quite exciting results for the business world with some significant theoretical and managerial implications.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has investigated the nexus between multi-dimensional organizational competencies, knowledge transfer, absorptive capacity and venture innovativeness in the context of Indian IJVs. It has emphasized the role of internal dynamics in cross-cultural joint ventures to attain sustainable competitiveness through strategic and technological efficiency.Originality/valueThe study has addressed the specific research gap of under-investigation of dynamic capabilities and sustainable competitiveness in international joint ventures. It has investigated a complex model of multiple mediations, yielding interesting quantitative results with qualitative insights; which is rare to match in literature.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document