Absorptive Capacity: An Analysis in the Context of Brazilian Family Firms

Abstract

Este artigo pode ser copiado, distribuído, exibido, transmitido ou adaptado desde que citados, de forma clara e explícita, o nome da revista, a edição, o ano e as páginas nas quais o artigo foi publicado originalmente, mas sem sugerir que a RAM endosse a reutilização do artigo. Esse termo de licenciamento deve ser explicitado para os casos de reutilização ou distribuição para terceiros. Não é permitido o uso para fins comerciais. Silvio Popadiuk (Editor), Rafael Barreiros Porto (Associate Editor), p. 174-204. 1We thank the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes) for granting a scholarship to the first author. 175 ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the capacity of family firms to absorb relevant information from their surrounding environments, and incorporate it in their innovative activities. The study also seeks to improve our understanding if, and in what ways, the generational diversity in firm's management is an important resource. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: In spite of the relevance of this matter, few scholars have explored the relationship between absorptive capacity (Acap) and family firms. On the other hand, the economic importance of these firms is reported, for example, in Leone (2005) and Machado, Grzybovski, Teixeira and Silva (2013), authors reporting that approximately 90% of Brazilian firms are controlled by families, being the fastest-growing business segment. Key methodological aspects: The sample consists of 241 family firms. The SmartPLS software is used for structural equation modeling. Summary of key results:The results show that Acap is an important predictor for the innovation performance of family firms. Contrary to expectation, the involvement of several generations in the management of the family firms is not a significant moderator between ACAP and innovation performance. Key considerations/conclusions: This study fills an important gap in the research on family firms, once, by taking into consideration the generational diversity in the management of these firms, its results deepen our understanding of the essential features of a family business, and analyze the innovation in an intergenerational perspective.

Innovation in Family Firms: A Systematic Literature Review and Guidance for Future Research

“…). Concerning the geographic scope of the data in empirical papers, 21% analyse US firms, 46% European firms, 12% Asian firms, and the remaining ones focus on other countries (e.g., Canada, see Muñoz‐Bullón and Sanchez‐Bueno ; Brazil, see Ferreira and Ferreira ).…”

“…In particular, generational diversity in the TMT affects the relationship between absorptive capacity and innovation performance. However, the results of Ferreira and Ferreira () do not support their hypothesis, probably because both groups (FFs with one generation in the TMT and FFs with multiple generations in the TMT) are under the founder's strong strategic influence.…”

Interorganizational Learning and Absorptive Capacity: Empirical Research in Small and Medium Enterprises

“…Acap depends on processes and routines from within the organization, that allow for the communication, sharing, and transferring of knowledge (Lane et al, 2006). Consequently, it plays an important role in achieving a balance between exploring resources and capacities resulting from interorganizational interaction, since it allows organizations to access new knowledge, new partnerships, and new market niches (Ferreira & Ferreira, 2017). Zahra and George (2002) proposed a reconceptualization of the term Acap.…”

Análise De Dimensões De Capacidade Absortiva Em Parques De Tecnologia

“…In their research Ferreira and Ferreira (2017) collected data from companies that took place between October 2015 and January 2016.It was obtained the return of 273 companies, of which 241 were considered family firms. The relationships developed and supported by the empirical part support the results of Zahra and George (2002) which is that the absorptive capacity helps the extent of innovation.…”