This paper investigates the relationship between dynamic capabilities and firm performance. In particular it addresses the question of whether dynamic capabilities impact directly or indirectly on performance. Using data from manufacturing firms, the paper articulates and measures dynamic capabilities as a multi-dimensional construct with three underlying factors: coordination, learning and strategic competitive response. Then, structural equation modelling is employed to explore the relationships among dynamic capabilities, functional competences and firm performance. Empirical findings suggest that dynamic capabilities are antecedents to functional competences which in turn have a significant effect on performance. Direct effects on performance are found to be insignificant. Furthermore, similar effects seem to hold for both higher and lower levels of environmental dynamism. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
In the last two decades, the labour markets of many OECD countries have witnessed major changes in the relative position of low-and highly-skilled workers. On the one hand, inequalities between the earnings of the low-and the highlyskilled have increased. On the other, the less skilled workers were much more vulnerable to the risk of unemployment than the highly-skilled ones. Amongst the theories that have been developed to explain the deteriorating position of the less educated workers, the hypothesis of a skill-biased technical change (Machin & Van Reenan, 1998) seems to find the most support in the relevant literature.
This paper examines the nature and structure of particular types of networks, i.e. policy-driven collaborative research networks. More specifically, it analyses the emerging networks formed under the fourth, fifth, and sixth EU Framework Programmes in the area of Information Society Technologies. This considerable time-span of roughly 12 years allows for comprehensive monitoring of these networks' evolution. Four sets of results with significant policy implications arise: (a) the networks analysed display characteristics of complex networks such as small-world property and scale-free distributions, (b) the networks examined are structured around a core of organizations, mainly universities and research institutes which have assumed a very influential role over time, (c) the introduction of new instruments in FP6 has considerably increased interconnectivity compared with the previous FPs, thus contributing to the implementation of the European Research Area initiative. In addition, another set of targeted instruments for upgrading the strategic position - within the networks - of promising peripheral actors should be designed.European Framework Programmes, research joint ventures, R&D networks, information society technologies, social network analysis,
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