Knowledge absorptive capacity: do all its dimensions matter for export performance of SMEs?

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Godwin Mwesigye Ahimbisibwe ◽  
Stephen Korutaro Nkundabanyanga ◽  
Gideon Nkurunziza ◽  
David Nyamuyonjo
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Sampling Error ◽  
Export Performance ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
General Effect ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
External Knowledge Acquisition

Purpose In this paper we aim to study the relationship between knowledge absorptive capacity (KAC) of exporting SMEs in Uganda and their export performance. Design/methodology/approach This study is correlational and cross-sectional, and adopts firm-level data collected via questionnaires from Ugandan exporting SMEs. As we use the sub-domains of KAC to predict export performance and therefore these sub-mains are expected to be correlated, we apply hierarchical regression as an appropriate tool for analysis when variance on a criterion variable is being explained by predictor variables that are correlated with each other (Pedhazur, 1997). Using this tool we analyze the effect of a given sub-domain after controlling for other indicators (sub-domains) of KAC; a “control” achieved by calculating the change in the adjusted R2 and the significance of this change. Findings We find that only external knowledge acquisition (a dimension of potential absorptive capacity) and external knowledge application (a dimension of realised absorptive capacity) are the only significant predictors of export performance in our model. Contrary to previous thinking, we find that external knowledge assimilation and transformation are not significant predictors of export performance. Taken together, our independent variables explain about 35.4 percent of the variance in export performance of SMEs in Uganda. Research limitations/implications The use of hierarchical regression is susceptible to problems associated with sampling error. However, the likelihood of these problems is reduced by our interaction with the data Practical implications – Our results imply that the initial focus of exporting SMEs should be on external knowledge acquisition and application. Originality/value Unlike most of the export performance literature, which have focused on the general effect of knowledge absorptive capacity as a global variable, this study explores the role played by the four dimensions of KAC and methodologically isolates the contribution played by each individual dimension in the context of exporting SMEs in a developing nation. As such we uncover the reality that not all the sub-domains of KAC are significant for export performance of SMEs in a developing country context.

How firms accumulate knowledge to innovate – an empirical study of Vietnamese firms

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Duy Quoc Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Performance ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Depth ◽  
Exploratory Innovation ◽  
External Knowledge Acquisition

PurposeOrganizational innovations are closely associated with organizational knowledge, and thus a firm builds its knowledge base to enhance its innovative performance. However, insights into this process are still limited, especially in the context of firms in developing countries. Building on the dynamic managerial capabilities literature and open innovation paradigm, this paper attempts to fill this gap by developing and empirically testing a model that investigates how firms in developing countries accumulate knowledge to innovate.Design/methodology/approachA model of a firm's knowledge accumulation and innovation is proposed in which it specifies relationships among absorptive capacity, knowledge breadth, research and development (R&D), knowledge depth, exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation, and then it is empirically tested by using the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique based on the surveyed data of Vietnamese firms.FindingsThe results indicate that absorptive capacity positively influences both knowledge breadth and knowledge depth, knowledge breadth positively influences R&D, R&D positively influences exploratory innovation and knowledge depth, and knowledge depth positively influences exploratory and exploitative innovation.Practical implicationsThe study proposes an “acquire and develop” open innovation model for firms in developing countries in which firms acquire external technologies and then develop R&D (develop and design) capability to adapt acquired technologies to their local conditions to create new organizational-specific capabilities and exploratory innovation.Originality/valueThis study argues that external knowledge acquisition is beneficial to innovative performance of firms in developing countries via renewing their knowledge base. Furthermore, the study provides the unique evidence that novel external knowledge acquisition and internal R&D are fit to each other in the fit-as-mediation form in which novel external knowledge acquisition is mediated by R&D to positively influence exploratory innovation.

Organizational Absorptive Capacity and Responsiveness: An Empirical Investigation of Growth–Oriented SMEs

2003 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianwen Liao ◽  
Harold Welsch ◽  
Michael Stoica
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Strategic Orientation ◽  
Knowledge Dissemination ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Organizational Responsiveness ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
External Knowledge Acquisition

This study examines the relationship between firm absorptive capacity and organizational responsiveness in the context of growth–oriented small and medium–sized enterprises (SMEs). By testing the different dimensions of absorptive capacity, external knowledge acquisition and intrafirm knowledge dissemination were found to be positively related to organizational responsiveness. In addition, the relationships between absorptive capacity and organizational responsiveness were moderated by environmental dynamism and the SMEs’ strategic orientation. Results demonstrate that the responsiveness of growth–oriented SMEs is expected to increase if (1) they have well–developed capabilities in external knowledge acquisition and intrafirm knowledge dissemination; (2) they have a well–developed external knowledge acquisition capability and adopt a more proactive strategy, such as being a prospector; (3) they face a turbulent environment and have a well developed internal knowledge dissemination capability. Implications and future research directions are provided.

Determinants of absorptive capacity: the value of technology and market orientation for external knowledge acquisition

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 600-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Lichtenthaler
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Process Perspective ◽  
Innovation Processes ◽  
External Knowledge Acquisition

Purpose This paper aims to draw on a knowledge-based view to emphasize that internal technological and market knowledge is critical to developing absorptive capacity. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper, which draws on recent transformations of management practices. Thus, the paper builds on prior academic contributions. Findings Firms increasingly establish innovation processes that involve an active acquisition of external technologies, often through alliances and licensing. To explain differences across firms in external knowledge acquisition, marketing and product innovation researchers have recently adopted a process perspective of absorptive capacity, which refers to a firm’s ability to explore, retain and exploit external knowledge. This paper develops a conceptual framework with propositions relating technology orientation, responsive market orientation and proactive market orientation to the three process stages of absorptive capacity under different conditions of environmental dynamism. Originality/value Beyond the relevance of technology and market orientation for fostering internal innovation, this paper points to their importance for successfully acquiring external technological knowledge. In light of increasingly open innovation processes, absorptive capacity is an essential complement to internal innovation in linking technology and market orientation to firm performance.

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