Knowledge stock and absorptive capacity of small firms: the moderating role of formalization

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Chaudhary

Purpose Despite the established significance of absorptive capacity, there is a worrying lack of research that empirically examines its antecedents. With a call for investigation guided by the knowledge-based theory, the purpose of this paper is to bridge any probable gap by exploring the effect that an organization’s knowledge stock and its knowledge integrating mechanisms have on the development of its absorptive capacity. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of a survey administered to a sample comprising owners of small Indian automotive firms, this paper empirically examines the direct effect of an organization’s knowledge stock (including knowledge breadth and depth) and the moderating role of its structure-related mechanisms (e.g., formalization) on its potential and realized absorptive capacities. The study uses survey data from 226 small business owners and multiple linear regression analysis to examine the significance of its hypotheses. Findings The results show that knowledge stock has a statistically notable influence on a small firm’s absorptive capacity. The enabling role of formalization in the relationship between knowledge stock and absorptive capacity is also evident. Practical implications Given the handicap of small firms vis-à-vis large firms to deploy internal R&D capabilities, business owners must ensure not to confuse absorptive capacity with the pre-existence of R&D capabilities. Originality/value The unbundling of knowledge stock into breadth and depth of knowledge enables business owners and researchers to understand how any particular knowledge stock can relate to an organization’s absorptive capacity.

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 453-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imran Ali ◽  
Ata Ul Musawir ◽  
Murad Ali

Purpose This study aims to propose an integrated model to examine the impact of knowledge governance, knowledge sharing and absorptive capacity (ACAP) on project performance in the context of project-based organizations (PBOs). This study also examines the moderating role of social processes on the relationships among these variables. Design/methodology/approach To test the proposed model, cross-sectional data were collected regarding projects from 133 PBOs in Pakistan’s information technology/software industry. The data were analyzed using the partial least squares – structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method and PRCOESS tool. Finally, this study also uses causal asymmetry analysis to check asymmetric relationship in the key constructs. Findings The results generally support the proposed model. Knowledge governance and knowledge sharing are important antecedents for improving the ACAP of the project, which in turn significantly improves project performance. Additionally, social processes positively moderate the relationship between knowledge sharing and ACAP, as well as between ACAP and project performance. Research limitations/implications The findings suggest that PBOs should invest in developing a knowledge governance system that guides and stimulates knowledge sharing within and between projects. This would boost the ACAP of projects and lead to superior project performance. Originality/value This study addresses the important issue of knowledge management in IT/software projects. It proposes a unique model that integrates the key constructs of knowledge management and describes their effect on project performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huseyin Ince ◽  
Salih Zeki Imamoglu ◽  
Hulya Turkcan

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 642-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Isabel Roldán Bravo ◽  
Antonia Ruiz Moreno ◽  
Francisco Javier Llorens-Montes

Purpose This paper aims to seek to explain the influence of power asymmetry and the moderating role of an organization’s absorptive and desorptive capacity on enhancing supply chain competence from its orientation to open innovation with its supply network. Design/methodology/approach To perform this study, the authors use data collected from 262 European firms. They apply regression analysis to test the moderating role of an organization’s absorptive and desorptive capacity on enhancing its supply chain competence from its orientation to open innovation. Findings The results confirm both the influence of power asymmetry and absorptive capacity on obtaining benefits that derive from an organization’s orientation to open innovation. The results do not, however, support the moderating effect of an organization’s desorptive capacity. Subsequent analyses performed in the study show that organizations that achieve complementarity among their own absorptive capacity and the capacities of its supply network manage to obtain greater benefits from its orientation to open innovation. Originality/value This paper responds to the need to study innovation in the context of a supply network and respond to calls in the literature on open innovation and supply chain management for the need to study the moderating role of absorptive and desorptive capacity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asia Umar Khan ◽  
Gohar Zaman ◽  
Qadar Bakhsh Baloch

Purpose: The present study was intended to find out the impact of three important components of marketing mix for tourism i.e. People, Process and Physical Evidence on Satisfaction of Sikh Pilgrims visiting Pakistan and the moderating role of Personal Perceived Risk of Terrorism in the relationship between the aforementioned independent variables and Pilgrims Satisfaction. Design/Methodology/Approach: The present research is based on the philosophy of positivism and it is descriptive and deductive in approach. Data was collected from a sample of 357 Sikh Pilgrims. Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to test the hypothesized effect of People, Process and Physical Evidence on satisfaction of Sikh Pilgrims and the moderating effect of Personal Perceived Risk of Terrorism. Findings: Findings of the study showed that Physical Evidence and People have a significant positive effect whereas Process has a significant negative effect on satisfaction of Sikh Pilgrims. Personal Perceived Risk of Terrorism was found to have an insignificant moderating effect on the relationship of Process, People and Physical Evidence with Satisfaction. Implications/Originality/Value: The study might help uplift the tourism sector of Pakistan and enhance the relationship between people of different religions of the region.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Héctor Montiel-Campos

PurposeThis purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between entrepreneurial passion for developing and strategic change as well as the moderating role of entrepreneurial alertness dimensions in this relationship.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 157 small firms within the sector of manufacturing parts for motor vehicles in Mexico. A hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe study's results show that entrepreneurs' passion for developing is related to strategic change. Furthermore, this relationship is enhanced at higher levels of the scanning and search dimension as well as the evaluation and judgment dimension, both of which relate to entrepreneurial alertness. Contrary to expectation, the results suggest that the association and connection dimension negatively moderate the relationship between entrepreneurs' passion for developing and strategic change.Originality/valueThis study not only provides a better understanding of the drivers of strategic change, but also offers insights into its temporal component by integrating emotive and cognitive perspectives into a unified theoretical framework.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samar Hayat Khan ◽  
Abdul Majid ◽  
Muhammad Yasir

PurposeThis research was carried out with the purpose to empirically test the model to explain the procedures concerned with the translation of social capital (SC) into strategic renewal (SR) of SMEs in developing economy like Pakistan. This procedure involves the mediating role of firms' strategic agility (SA) as well as the contingent effects of firms' absorptive capacity (AC).Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a cross-sectional design to evaluate the hypothesized model. To validate the moderated mediation model, data was collected from 519 CEOs, owners, finance managers and managing directors of 123 manufacturing units dealing in agricultural machinery (32 units), automobile accessories (16 units), pharmaceutical instrument (11 units), electrical equipment (25 units), IT related accessories (21 units) and garments (18 units).FindingsThe findings of the study confirm a positive association between SC on SR. Moreover, results also validate the mediating role of SA in the relationship between SC and SR. In addition, the moderating role of AC is also confirmed and presented this construct as a catalyst in the relationship between SC and SR.Practical implicationsThis research provides new endeavors for strategic management and strategic entrepreneurship literature by focusing on distinctive resources such as SC with its different facets. Therefore, it provides a new dimension and a roadmap that will be beneficial to the achievement of the objectives of SR.Originality/valueThe findings of this research have contributed to the streams of strategic management perspective by emphasizing upon the mediating mechanism how SC can be transformed into SR of SMEs through SA. Findings of the research also contribute to understand the moderating role of AC, and how its association with SC and SA augments the effects on SR of firms.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksey Martynov

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to fill the theoretical void in the discussion of effects of alliance portfolios on firm performance by studying the moderating role of a firm’s strategic positioning. Design/methodology/approach A fixed effects, autoregressive panel model on a comprehensive, longitudinal sample of large and medium-sized publicly traded companies in the USA. Findings The effect of alliance portfolios on firm performance is conditional on the firm’s strategic positioning. Research limitations/implications The results may not be applicable to firms outside the USA or small firms. Practical implications Executives should craft their alliance portfolios while considering the strategic positioning of their firms. Originality/value This paper presents the first study of alliance portfolios that uses a comprehensive, multi-industry sample while considering firms’ strategic positioning. The paper is the first to jointly study characteristics of alliance portfolios and firm strategies.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rixiao Cui ◽  
Juanru Wang ◽  
Yajiong Xue ◽  
Huigang Liang

PurposeAlthough interorganizational learning has attracted substantial attention, research about its effects on green innovation is still rare. Combining theories of organizational learning and absorptive capacity, this study explores the relationships among interorganizational learning, green knowledge integration capability (GKIC) and green innovation (GI), and analyzes the moderating role of green absorptive capacity (GAC). Based on resource-based and ambidexterity theories, this study focuses on vertical exploitative (VEL) and lateral explorative learning (LEL). This study expands the research of GI by proposing two different interorganizational learning mechanisms and uncovering the intricate relationship between them and GI.Design/methodology/approachBased on a sample of 203 Chinese manufacturing firms, the authors used a hierarchical regression analysis and bootstrap method to test the theoretical framework and research hypotheses of this paper.FindingsResults show that VEL and LEL have positive effects on GI. GKIC partially mediates the relationship between VEL and GI and completely mediates the relationship between LEL and GI. Moreover, GAC plays a moderating role between LEL and GKIC and moderates the effect of LEL on GI via GKIC, such that the effect is stronger when GAC increases. However, it does not moderate the relationship between VEL and GKIC.Originality/valueFirst, founded on resource-based and ambidexterity theories, this study considers two dimensions of interorganizational learning, VEL and LEL. Second, by testing the mediating role of GKIC, the authors provide a theoretical lens to understand the relationship between interorganizational learning and GI. Third, by examining boundary conditions of GAC, the authors enrich organizational learning and absorptive capacity theory in the context of green development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-299
Author(s):  
Neysa Nadia Lestari ◽  
Stephanie Yuanita Indrasari

Purpose This study aims to examine teachers’ efficacy to use iPad for teaching, their perceived impact of 1:1 iPad implementation in the classroom and the role of both variables in predicting teachers’ adoption of the iPad. Design/methodology/approach This paper opted for multiple linear regression analysis of the data from a total of 91 teachers (44 male and 47 female). All participating teachers are from upper-middle-class private schools who have been using iPad in their classrooms for at least three months. All three variables being studied are measured using instruments developed by the researcher and self-rated by participating teachers: iPad-Teaching Efficacy (iTE), Perceived Impact of iPad in the Classroom (iPI) and iPad Actual Use for Teaching (iAU). All three instruments have good internal reliability and validity, with an alpha coefficient of 0.97, 0.92 and 0.93 respectively. Findings The paper provides empirical insights about factors contributing to teachers’ technology adoption (specifically iPad) in the classroom. It suggests that teachers’ efficacy significantly predicts their actual use of the iPad for teaching, but teachers’ perceived impact of the implementation does not. Practical implications These research findings play an important role in designing a program for technology adoption in schools, especially in Indonesia.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Boateng ◽  
George Oppong Appiagyei Ampong ◽  
Diyawu Rahman Adam ◽  
Kwame Simpe Ofori ◽  
Robert Ebo Hinson

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of social interaction ties, trust and business networks in the acquisition of foreign business knowledge and foreign institutional knowledge. It also assesses the effect of these types of knowledge on small and medium enterprises’ (SME) export performance. Furthermore, this study determines the moderating role of absorptive capacity in the relationship between foreign business knowledge, foreign institutional knowledge, and export performance. Design/methodology/approach This study used a survey research design using data from non-traditional SME exporters in Ghana. There were 257 respondents who were employees (managers/ owners) of SMEs in Ghana. The model was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings Social interaction ties, trust and business networks have a significant effect on the acquisition of foreign business knowledge and foreign institutional knowledge. Furthermore, foreign business knowledge and foreign institutional knowledge have a significant positive effect on export performance. The path between foreign business knowledge and export performance is also moderated by absorptive capacity. However, the moderating role of absorptive capacity in the relationship between foreign institutional knowledge and export performance is not significant. Originality/value This study uses social capital to explain how SMEs acquire foreign business knowledge and foreign institutional knowledge, and how both affect SMEs’ export performance. Furthermore, it tests the moderating role of absorptive capacity in the relationship between foreign business knowledge, foreign institutional knowledge and export performance.


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