Absorptive Capacity: A Process Perspective

Easterby‐Smith, Mark; Graça, Manuel; Antonacopoulou, Elena P.; Ferdinand, Jason

doi:10.1177/1350507608096037

Cited by 169 publications

(248 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Figure 2 shows our revised model of green ACAP when considered from a standards implementation perspective. The three antecedents identified by Gluch et al (2009) directly affect the knowledge acquisition phase; it is widely accepted in the literature that this precedes the assimilation phase (Easterby-Smith et al, 2008;Gluch et al, 2009;Zahra and George, 2002). Assimilation of knowledge is typically actioned through training programmes, which open up learning opportunities and hence can influence employee values and beliefs (Linnenluecke and Griffiths, 2010) as well as the organisation's ACAP (Gann, 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing sustainability in small and medium-sized construction firms

Upstill-Goddard¹,

Glass

Dainty

et al. 2016

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management

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Citation: UPSTILL-GODDARD, J.D., 2016. Implementing sustainability in small and medium-sized construction firms: the role of absorptive capacity.Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 23(4), pp. Additional Information:• This paper was accepted for publication in the journal Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. Design/methodology/approach -Taking an organisational learning and absorptive capacity (ACAP) perspective, this research uses the case study approach and abductive logic to understand what role learning plays with regard to sustainability standard implementation.Findings -The results reveal that strong communication channels and commitment to training programmes increase the capacity for implementing standards, but that SMEs tend only to approach standards if they see immediate financial benefits stemming from their implementation.Practical implications -SMEs provide a challenging context for the implementation of sustainability standards unless there are significant external levers and extrinsic motivation for them to be embraced. Care should be taken in incorporating these aspects into the future design of standards that are more aligned with SME needs.Social implications -Stakeholders should seek to apply pressure to firms to positively influence engagement with sustainability standards.2 Originality/value -The role and importance of ACAP is an underdeveloped debate in the certification field. This study is the first that links the process of implementing a standard with the ACAP of an organisation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing sustainability in small and medium-sized construction firms

Upstill-Goddard¹,

Glass

Dainty

et al. 2016

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management

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“…ACAP as a dynamic capability means that it can be attributed to a collective such as the firm or to individual employees or innovation managers. Individual absorptive capacity, at the level of tourism change agents, draws attention to the ability to appreciate and acquire knowledge from the external environment; however, it also focuses on the ability to engage in the internal processes of learning (Easterby-Smith et al, 2008).…”

Section: Absorptive Capabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The concept of ´absorptive capability´ (ACAP) assumes that firms have varying capabilities in terms of knowledge absorption and the application of knowledge in innovation processes (Easterby-Smith, Graça Antonacopoulou, & Ferdinand 2008). Zahra and George (2002) suggested that ACAP encompasses both the acquisition and assimilation (the potential ACAP) and the transformation and realization (the realized ACAP) of knowledge.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge Acquisition and Assimilation in Tourism-Innovation Processes

Hoarau

2014

Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism

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The paper develops a framework and an understanding of the external knowledge absorption in nature-based tourism companies. The concept of potential absorptive capacity is the starting point for exploring how external knowledge (tacit and explicit) is absorbed and assimilated in tourism innovation processes. Although knowledge is the engine that drives innovation, tourism firms can have problems and challenges when trying to absorb external knowledge for innovation. The main challenge is to access and absorb tacit knowledge. This type of knowledge is personal and sticky and therefore difficult to acquire and assimilate into the existing knowledge pool of organizations. Tacit knowledge is also difficult to imitate and is 2 therefore important for developing original and competitive innovations. In this study, knowledge acquisition and assimilation processes and how knowledge challenges are handled are investigated by adopting a multiple, qualitative case-study strategy that focuses on three Icelandic whale-watching firms. This study contributes to the tourism innovation discussion by identifying tourism specific abilities for the acquisition and assimilation of knowledge. The sense-making and strategic interpretation of this knowledge are considered to be important subsequent steps in the innovation process.

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“…In modelling ACAP using a process view (similar to that of Easterby-Smith et al, 2008), four dimensions have been identified -as shown in Zahra and George's (2002) model (Figure 1). Also shown are activation triggers (that is, external -the change in the construction market's requirements; and internal -the organization forming a partnership to address the challenge at all levels), socialization mechanisms to incorporate and use new knowledge, gatekeepers who hold key roles in knowledge filtering and transfer, and boundary spanners who transcend organizational silos and help spread knowledge to all areas and levels of the organization.…”

Section: Developing An Absorptive Capacity Perspective and Research Qmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, Jones (2006), along with Zahra and George (2002), states that the study of ACAP in organizations is limited by a lack of definition at an operational level within these organizations. Easterby-Smith et al (2008) conclude that there is a need for further studies in different types of organizations to develop further understanding of the construct and adopt a process approach to ACAP. Hence, the main aim of this paper is to explore how dynamic capability using an absorptive capacity framework in response to these challenges has been developed within a construction-based SME (which specializes in public contracts).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Development of Absorptive Capacity-Based Innovation in a Construction SME

McAdam

Miller

McMacken³

et al. 2010

The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

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Traditionally, construction has been a transaction-oriented industry. However, it is changing from the design–bid–build process into a business based on innovation capability and performance management, in which contracts are awarded on the basis of factors such as knowledge, intellectual capital and skills. This change presents a challenge to construction-sector SMEs with scarce resources, which must find ways to innovate based on those attributes to ensure their future competitiveness. This paper explores how dynamic capability, using an absorptive capacity framework in response to these challenges, has been developed in a construction-based SME. The paper also contributes to the literature on absorptive capacity and innovation by showing how the construct can be operationalized within an organization. The company studied formed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership using action research over a two-year period with a local university. The aim was to increase its absorptive capacity and hence its ability to meet the changing market challenges. The findings show that absorptive capacity can be operationalized into a change management approach for improving capability-based competitiveness. Moreover, it is important for absorptive capacity constructs and language to be contextualized within a given organizational setting (as in the case of the construction-based SME in the present study).

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Absorptive Capacity: A Process Perspective

Cited by 169 publications

References 30 publications

Implementing sustainability in small and medium-sized construction firms

Implementing sustainability in small and medium-sized construction firms

Knowledge Acquisition and Assimilation in Tourism-Innovation Processes

The Development of Absorptive Capacity-Based Innovation in a Construction SME

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