The influence of knowledge absorptive capacity on shared value creation in social enterprises

Abstract

Purpose In downturns, social enterprises (SEs) arise as a resilience business model. The authors focus on knowledge absorptive capacity (KAC) as a key dynamic capability to create shared value (SHV). The purpose of this study is to analyze whether it exists a cause-effect relationship between KAC and SHV creation in SEs. Design/methodology/approach The research model relates KAC and SHV creation. SHV creation involves two components: economic value (EV) and social value (SV). The authors argue that KAC has a positive effect on EV and SV creation, considering SV as a mediator variable. The model is tested by means of PLS-SEM. Findings The results reveal the existence of a positive and significant relationship between KAC and SHV creation, as well as the mediating role of SV creation. Research limitations/implications The sample comprises 127 SEs from the Euro-Mediterranean region (euro-region comprising areas from France and Spain), it would be interesting to include other euro-regions in future research. Practical implications The authors confirm KAC as an important antecedent of SHV creation and also that SEs create EV by means of SV, pointing to the existence of direct and indirect effects. This way, confirming the existence of a mediating effect. Originality/value It points the importance of KAC in SEs, something that has not been addressed before by the literature. It also goes beyond performance by considering SHV creation as a measure of SEs’ outcomes, as well as the definition of the variable SHV including not only social related issues but also environmental (green) issues.

Creating shared value: A systematic review, synthesis and integrative perspective

“…Another study has highlighted the role of an individual's spiritual practices that enhance consciousness, which can play a vital role in creating a conscious enterprise that focuses on creating shared value (Pavlovich & Corner, 2014). Campos‐Climent and Sanchis‐Palacio (2017) conducted research on 127 social enterprises from France and Spain. They found that knowledge absorptive capacity (KAC) is a key determinant for creating shared value.…”

“…They found that knowledge absorptive capacity (KAC) is a key determinant for creating shared value. They argue that creating KAC acts as a mediator and positively affects CSV (Campos‐Climent & Sanchis‐Palacio, 2017). Recently, Wu et al.…”

Understanding sustainable innovation: A systematic literature review

“…), and factors associated to and affecting sustainable innovation, a systematization of extant findings is required to improve our knowledge regarding how firms can improve financial performance while developing a sustainable society (Campos-Climent & Sanchis-Palacio, 2017;Carayannis et al, 2017;Del Del Giudice & Straub, 2011;Malone & Yohe, 2002;Porter & Kramer, 2007). ), and factors associated to and affecting sustainable innovation, a systematization of extant findings is required to improve our knowledge regarding how firms can improve financial performance while developing a sustainable society (Campos-Climent & Sanchis-Palacio, 2017;Carayannis et al, 2017;Del Del Giudice & Straub, 2011;Malone & Yohe, 2002;Porter & Kramer, 2007).…”

“…However, given the heterogeneity of topics, perspectives (strategic management, relational view, stakeholder engagement, etc. ), and factors associated to and affecting sustainable innovation, a systematization of extant findings is required to improve our knowledge regarding how firms can improve financial performance while developing a sustainable society (Campos-Climent & Sanchis-Palacio, 2017;Carayannis et al, 2017;Del Del Giudice & Straub, 2011;Malone & Yohe, 2002;Porter & Kramer, 2007). Therefore, the main aim of this study is to systematically identify and critically review the literature on sustainable innovation in order to synthesize and classify recurrent challenges and prevalent practices and thereby reconcile economic, environmental, and social goals in innovation activities.…”

Does knowledge management explain the poor growth of social enterprises? Key insights from a systematic literature review on knowledge management and social entrepreneurship

“…In the social entrepreneurship sector, individual barriers like time constraints, technical barriers such as the ones associated with organisational intranet and organisational barriers such as the lack of opportunities and training, limit knowledge sharing. Further, in the field of social entrepreneurship, it has been shown by Campos-Climent and Sanchis-Palacio (2017) that the capacity for knowledge absorption positively impacts the creation of shared value in social enterprises in the euro-Mediterranean region. Through the analysis of North American social entrepreneurship education programmes, Solomon et al (2019) highlighted the potential of the knowledge management field and courses in social entrepreneurship education, which present a continuously high demand in the US and Canada, where it continues to rise.…”