Absorptive Capacity Process: Its relation with Organizational Capabilities and Environment

Anabel Fernández Mesa
Universitat de València, España
Jueves, 25 Abril 2013 - 12:00

Following the process-based absorptive capacity definition, this article identifies technology and market capacity as two critical competencies influencing absorptive capacity. Data from a multi-informant survey conducted in 426 industrial firms from 4 sectors with different levels of technology show that market and technology capabilities act as moderator variables in the relationship between exploratory and transformative learning, with a triple interaction effect. Counter to our expectations, however, technology competence negatively interacts with technology turbulence moderating the relation between transformation and exploitation learning. Interestingly, technology competence becomes rigidity in environments with high technology turbulence. Results help to explain differences in profiting from external knowledge, and they emphasize the process view of absorptive capacity.

Co-authors: Vareska van de Vrande, Michiel Tempelaar & Joaquín Alegre

Lugar: 

Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación
Edificio 8E, Acceso J, Planta 4ª (Sala Aprende. Cubo Rojo)
Universidad Politécnica de Valencia | Camino de Vera s/n

Breve CV del Ponente: 

Anabel Fernández Mesa is Assistant Professor in the University of Valencia. She  teaches “Strategic Management” and "Innovation & Technology Management" in various degrees of the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Department of Business Management.

She has a Degree in Business Administration from Valencia University (2009). Master in Business Strategy from Valencia University (2010) in which she was awarded the Special Premium. In 2010 she presented her Final Master Project with the title “Organizational ambidexterity dynamism in SMEs: the role of top management teams and CEOs" in the Department of Business in Valencia University. This work was presented at the European Academy of Management Congress (2011).
Currently she collaborates as researcher in the project, "Entrepreneurial orientation, knowledge strategy and absorptive capacity in companies with high and low technology", (MICINN, 2011).
In March 2012 she defended her thesis entitled "Organizational learning, capabilities and innovation: three studies in Spanish and Italian ceramic tile industry".

From 2002 to 2005 she worked in the Department of Finance and Accounting in the metal sector. From 2005 to 2008 she worked in the investment department of the bank Caixa Popular. In 2008, she worked in the IFIC research institute of the National Research Center where she collaborated in developing the strategic plan. In her final university year (2008-2009) she completed an internship as a research assistant at the University of Valencia in the same department where she currently works. In 2010 and 2011 she worked as an agent for local development in the City of Manises. One of her tasks was to research the current state of ceramic companies located in Manises town. Finally, from 2011 to  2013 she worked as a technical member of “Junta para la Ampliación de Estudios” (JAE-Tecnicos) at the Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management (CSIC-UPV). Currently she is still collaborating with this institute.