scholarly journals Assessing dynamic capabilities: Mintzberg’s schools of thought

2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Arndt
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Management ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Human Agency ◽  
Dynamic Capability ◽  
Evolutionary Perspective ◽  
Central Source ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Attention Process ◽  
Micro Foundations

A growing body of research in strategic management has focused on dynamic capabilities as a central source of firms' competitive advantage. The theoretical roots of dynamic capabilities can be found in many of the schools of thought identified by Mintzberg, Ahlstrand and Lampel (1998). In this paper, we identify three aspects of dynamic capabilities that, we believe, require more detailed attention: Process, cognitive and decision-based micro-foundations, and human agency. We explore each of these areas from an evolutionary perspective to emphasize the fact that dynamic capability is essentially an evolutionary construct. By highlighting the evolutionary implications of these areas, we add important detail to the way “evolution” has been used in this field of research.

scholarly journals Perceiving ‘capability’ within dynamic capabilities: The role of owner-manager self-efficacy

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 883-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Kevill ◽  
Kiran Trehan ◽  
Mark Easterby-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Dynamic Capability ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Crucial Component ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Micro Foundations ◽  
Micro Enterprises

This article combines two popular, yet separate concepts: dynamic capabilities and self-efficacy. Both are concerned with ability/capability and offer potentially valuable synergies. As such, our in-depth qualitative study based in three micro-enterprises in the United Kingdom investigates, ‘what role(s) may owner-manager perceived self-efficacy play as a micro-foundation of dynamic capabilities in micro-enterprises?’ Our findings show that perceived self-efficacy can influence dynamic capability enactment in multifaceted ways and even suggest that in some cases, perceived self-efficacy is a crucial component of dynamic capabilities, without which there may be no such capability. These insights help open up the black box of dynamic capabilities by contributing important knowledge to the growing body of research into the micro-foundations of such capabilities. Furthermore, our study illuminates the importance of idiosyncratic micro-foundations of dynamic capabilities in micro-enterprises and expands extant knowledge of the potential effects of self-efficacy in the small business and entrepreneurship domain.

Dynamic Capabilities for Competitive Advantage

Paradigm ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaneet Kaur ◽  
Versha Mehta
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Management ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Multinational Firms ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Dynamic Capability ◽  
Indian Origin ◽  
The Relationship

Though the dynamic capability framework has emerged as the new touchstone in the domain of strategic management, the focal point of most of the studies has predominantly been the multinational firms belonging to developed countries. The present study aims to bridge this gap not only by empirically analysing the dynamic capabilities of Indian multinationals but also by comparing the level of deployment of dynamic capabilities in Indian-origin multinational corporations (MNCs) vis-à-vis the foreign-origin MNCs operating in India. Moreover, as there is no consensus among researchers on the relationship between dynamic capabilities and competitive advantage, this relationship is put to test in the present study, and its wider applicability is checked in Indian and foreign-based MNCs. The study also analyses the effect of company’s country-of-origin on its competitiveness. Furthermore, individual capabilities of the organizations under study are analysed and strategies to enhance the competitiveness of each organization are thereby suggested.

scholarly journals Identification of dynamic capabilities in open innovation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edson Rodrigues de Aro ◽  
Gilberto Perez
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Strategic Management ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Dynamic Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis

Purpose This study aims to understand the interaction between capabilities inherent in open innovation and dynamic capabilities (sensing, seizing and transforming) as a source of competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative method and grounded theory were used as guidelines for data collection and analysis. Findings The study identifies a set of capabilities in the practice of open innovation related to dynamic capabilities, which indicates the importance of developing dynamic capability in the strategic management of internal and external knowledge in the company. Research limitations/implications The number of interviewees approached herein do not allow generalizations, but the use of grounded theory through various strategies of data collection in the interviews allowed the triangulation of the data, increasing the credibility, validity and quality of the research. Originality/value This study presents capabilities identified in open innovation and their relationship with dynamic capabilities, identifying the importance of the dynamic capability in the strategic management of internal and external knowledge in the company as a source of competitive advantage.

Exploring organizational problem-solving modes: a dynamic capabilities approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matin Mohaghegh ◽  
Andreas Größler
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Fundamental Solutions ◽  
Capabilities Approach ◽  
Dynamic Capability ◽  
Learning Mechanisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
Micro Foundations

PurposeAdopting the dynamic capability perspective, this study aims at exploring which problem-solving capabilities result in fundamental solutions with a potentially low likelihood for problems to recur. This can also shed light on why, despite many attempts, process improvement programs often fail to produce such long-term solutions.Design/methodology/approachA case study is carried out to inductively describe and classify problem-solving in companies and to indicate why problem-solving efforts are typically bounded to short-term solutions. The empirical findings are triangulated with findings from the extant literature.FindingsFirst, the authors propose three problem-solving modes with different characteristics and potential impacts on operational performance: intuitive problem-solving, semi-structured problem-solving and systematic problem-solving. Second, by emphasizing dynamic capabilities' micro-foundations and with the focus on learning mechanisms, the authors show that, among these modes, only systematic problem-solving can serve as a dynamic capability with fundamental solutions. Third, based on insights from the case study, the authors address behavioral and organizational impediments that curb dynamic capabilities and limit systematic problem-solving adoption.Originality/valueThis study is an empirically informed attempt to understand systematic problem-solving as a dynamic capability. The authors uncover the micro-foundations and the learning mechanisms through which systematic problem-solving becomes a dynamic capability. By highlighting problem-solving orientation as a hardly investigated dimension of improvement programs, the authors show that a mixture of a static problem-solving approach and a set of impediments at both individual and organizational levels is the major reason of failures of improvement programs over time.

A Dynamic Ability-Based View of the Organization

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farley Simon Nobre ◽  
David S. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Dynamic Behavior ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Sustainable Competitive Advantage ◽  
Collective Knowledge ◽  
The Core ◽  
Core Ability ◽  
Micro Foundations

This paper investigates theoretical micro-foundations of core competencies in the organization that pursues sustainable competitive advantage. It advocates that there is a lack of literature perspectives which can explain the sources of core competencies of the firm. This research raises questions on: What are the main sources of creation and sustenance of core competencies? What are the abilities which nourish the development of operational and dynamic capabilities? What is the main source of collective knowledge in the organization? This work answers these questions by proposing a dynamic ability-based view of the organization which contributes to explaining the dynamic behavior of the firm in the pursuit of sustainable competitive advantage. Cognition is the core ability which supports individuals, groups, and organizations with intelligence, autonomy, learning, and knowledge management. These concepts form the set of organizational abilities in this research.

scholarly journals Seeking competitive advantage with service infusion: a systematic literature review

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ville Eloranta ◽  
Taija Turunen
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Strategic Management ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Concepts ◽  
Service Infusion ◽  
Management Theories

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze how the service infusion literature explains competitive advantage through services. The four strategic management theories – competitive forces, the resource-based view, dynamic capabilities, and relational view – are applied in the analysis. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review analyzes the links between the service infusion and strategy literature. Findings – The review reveals that although discussion of service infusion applies strategic management concepts, the stream lacks rigor with respect to construct definition and justification. Additionally, contextual variables are often missing. The result is an over-emphasis of contextually bound measures, such as technology, and focal actors. Research limitations/implications – The growing trends toward social networks, co-specialization, actor dependency and shared resources encourage service infusion scholars to focus on network-related and relational capabilities, co-opetition, open business models, and relational rent extraction. Furthermore, service infusion research would benefit from considering strategy-based theoretical discussions, constructs, and constraints that would improve the scientific rigor, impact and contribution. Originality/value – This paper represents a systematic attempt to link the service infusion literature with strategic management theories and thoroughly analyzes the knowledge gaps and possible misconceptions.

Historical Change and the Competitive Advantage of Firms

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Daniel Wadhwani ◽  
Geoffrey Jones
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Intellectual Development ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Historical Change ◽  
Historical Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Conceptual Language ◽  
Micro Foundations

This chapter aims to deepen the scholarly dialogue between strategy and history. It does so by examining how historical models of change can contribute to theory and research on the competitive advantage of firms during periods of rapid innovation. Focusing on the dynamic capabilities framework, it shows how three models of historical change—evolutionary, dialectical, and constitutive—can be used to extend theory and deepen research about the origins, context, and micro-foundations of dynamic capabilities. We show how each model of historical change shaped the intellectual development of the dynamic capabilities framework, point to historical research that illustrates these processes, and discuss the methodological and conceptual implications for future research. We conclude by suggesting that recognizing and building on these historical models of change can provide a common conceptual language for a deeper dialogue between historians and strategy researchers.

Sensing opportunities in dynamic markets: how to encourage all employees to take part

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 18-24
Author(s):  
Klavdia Markelova Evans ◽  
Ashley Salaiz
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Dynamic Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dynamic Markets ◽  
Simple Rules ◽  
Rules Of Thumb ◽  
Micro Foundations ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Conceptual Work

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how companies can retain their ability to recognize, seize and maintain opportunities. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual work is built on existing research about an organization’s dynamic capabilities and literature on judgment under uncertainty. Findings This study offers specific ways in which companies can develop the dynamic capability of identifying new opportunities and, most importantly, how firms can maintain this rare dynamic capability for significant periods, so that they can harvest the benefits offered by owning this capability. Practical implications This study’s specific insights equip practitioners with turn-key information on how to build or maintain a firm’s unique ability to sense and capture an opportunity via the enhancement of the firm’s portfolio of simple rules. Originality/value This research introduces a novel idea about micro-foundations of a firm’s dynamic capabilities and theoretically argues that a favorable organizational culture and individuals’ rules of thumb can form a company’s dynamic ability to sense and seize an opportunity in high-velocity markets.

Unbundling dynamic capabilities in successful Asian-Pacific shipping companies

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrejs Čirjevskis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Strategic Decision Making ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Asian Pacific ◽  
Micro Foundations

Purpose This paper aims to add to the understanding of dynamic capabilities (DC) as sources of competitive advantage of successful Asian-Pacific shipping companies by demonstrating that DC development unfolds in three steps, from recognition that the environment has changed, to the decision to deploy DC, to assets re-orchestration. Design/methodology/approach Based on an approach involving two illustrative case studies, the author analyzed DC development of Chinese and Singaporean-based shipping groups in depth. The analysis was centered on DC by investigating how strategic decision-making on vertical integration, diversification and implementation of new technologies can be underpinned by developing DC to create sustained advantages. Findings The author found that strategic components of DC are rooted in strategic decision-making to initiate changes on the corporate and even on an operational level. Research limitations/implications While capability development is thoroughly studied, capability erosion has not been integrated into the research. The exploration of human capital as a firm’s idiosyncratic resource in assets orchestration capabilities can be future work. Practical implications The proposed research contributes to the debate on micro foundations of DC and provides insights for practitioners striving for retaining competitive advantages. Social implications Regarding implications for the society, the research shows how the DC serve to generate competitive advantages. The author has presented a logical structure of the competitive advantage paradigm as a product of DC and business models that can be useful to decision makers. Originality/value The research offers insights into the composition of micro foundations of DC and demonstrates that DC can be unbounded into well-known and concrete strategic and operational management activities.

MANAGING INTERINDUSTRY DIFFERENCES THROUGH DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES: THE CASE STUDY OF NOKIA

2005 ◽  
Vol 02 (03) ◽  
pp. 235-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARABELLA BHUTTO
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Mobile Communication ◽  
Mobile Networks ◽  
Consumer Goods ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Dynamic Capability ◽  
Communication Industry ◽  
Mobile Communication Industry ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the case of Nokia as a player of the mobile communication industry and provider of mobile communication system: Mobile handsets (consumer goods) and mobile networks (CoPS). Our aim is to analyze the impact of strategic management and dynamic capability developed by a firm of such an industry, which supports the entire system and manages inter-industry differences of consumer goods and CoPS. Recent convergence among technologies has raised competition among firms. Achieving and sustaining competitive advantage in this converging market is therefore possible by identifying threats and then developing strategies and capabilities to resolve them. This article concludes by examining how the firm can achieve its competitive advantage.

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