Modern strategic management theories try to explain why firms differ, because new sources of competitive advantage are keenly sought in the dynamic and complex environment of global competition. Two areas in particular have attracted the attention of researchers: the role of dynamic capabilities, and the firm's abilities for knowledge management. In this paper, we argue that there is a link between these two concepts, which has not been fully articulated in the literature. The aim of the paper is therefore to ascertain the conceptual connection between them as a basis for future research. Our proposed framework acknowledges and critiques the distinct roots of each field, identifies boundaries, and proposes relationships between the constructs and firm performance.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of high-involvement human resource practices in the innovative work behavior of employees, with the mediation of supportive work environment conditions. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses regression analysis to test the hypotheses in a sample of 198 Spanish firms. Findings – The results indicate that ability-enhancing and opportunity-enhancing human resource practices are positively related to innovative work behaviors with the mediation of two work environment variables: management support and coworkers support. This study discusses results and highlights limitations and future research directions. Originality/value – Previous researchers have identified employees as important sources of innovation, but systemic empirical research has not been fully applied to examine the relationship between human resource management (HRM) and employees' innovative work behavior.

Both researchers and managers are increasingly interested in how firms can pursue ambidextrous learning—that is, simultaneously exploring new knowledge domains while exploiting current ones. In this study, we attempt to bring human resource management into this forum by introducing and testing how high‐involvement human resource practices shape the social climate that affects the firm's ambidextrous learning and subsequent performance. A field study of 198 companies from Spain showed that high‐involvement human resource practices were positively related to the social climate that, in turn, facilitates ambidextrous learning and improved performance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Purpose -There has been little research that includes reliable deductions about the positive influence of learning capability on business performance. For this reason, the main objective of the present study is to empirically explore the link between learning capability in organizations and business performance evaluated in both financial and non-financial terms. Design/methodology/approach -Using data from 111 Spanish companies, research was conducted through a structural equation modelling. In doing so, a measurement model was conducted for the main constructs -learning capability, financial performance and non-financial performance-and examine the paths between them. Findings -The analysis shows the positive link existing between: learning capability and non-financial performance; and non-financial performance and financial performance. Originality/value -This is a detailed empirical examination of learning capability as a source of performance in organizations. It should be of value to all those who think about the role of learning processes and knowledge in organizations, and who care about their effects on competitiveness.

It is widely recognized that the development of learning capability is key to achieve a durable competitive advantage. However, the analysis of the relevance of learning capability to improve business performance and, thus, the organizational competence has been insufficiently developed in literature. Based on data from 111 Spanish companies, this article explores the link between learning capability and the improvement of business performance by comparing how the main dimensions of learning capability—stocks of knowledge and flows of learning—impact on performance, in terms of both non-financial and financial performance. The results show that those organizations with the highest levels in their knowledge stocks and learning flows obtain a superior performance.

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Two concepts, dynamic capabilities and knowledge management, are widely assumed to be linked to sustained competitive advantage, although researchers have found it hard to substantiate these assumptions. It has also been suggested that the interplay between the two is important, and that it needs to be better understood. In this paper, we therefore look at the nature of, and interaction between, organizational knowledge and dynamic capabilities in some detail. We do this first through a literature review, and second, through a case study of the evolution of a new international business. The study illustrates how forms of knowledge, particularly when transmitted via social interactions, can act as a source of dynamic capabilities, and we conclude with suggestions about further research on the social and political interactions between the two.

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