Configuring absorptive capacities through organizational practiced routines: evidence from Brazilian digital technology-based SMEs

Abstract

Absorptive capacity (ACAP) is currently one of the most dynamic themes in the knowledge literature. This is confirmed by the growing number of references associated with the fields of innovation, organizational learning and strategic management. However, despite the efforts of researchers, the main processes, routines and practices associated with the notion of ACAP remain unclear. Underpinned by in-depth case studies carried out in 2 companies operating in the field of digital technology in Brazil, we analyze the processes that structure ACAP, in search of operational configurations allowing the absorption of knowledge. The study builds on the notion of meta-routines as higher-level routines that define the general and abstract purpose of ACAP routines. These meta-routines are expressed by practiced routines of ACAP, which are firm-specific, idiosyncratic and observable. Findings reveal the evidence of interdependencies between these practiced routines, suggesting the existence of complementarity attributes among their related meta-routines. Moreover, the proposed framework highlights the sequence of these practiced routines and their adequacy to ACAP sub-capacities. From a managerial point of view, these results provide new perspectives for building ACAP in organizations. Implications and suggestions for future studies are included.

Résumé

La capacité d'absorption (ACAP) est actuellement l'un des thèmes les plus dynamiques de la littérature qui traite de la connaissance aux organisations, ce qui est confirmé par le nombre croissant de références associés aux champs de l'innovation, de l'apprentissage organisationnelle et du management stratégique. Cependant, malgré les efforts des chercheurs, les principaux processus, routines et pratiques associés à la notion de l’ACAP restent encore peu éclaircis. Soutenu par des études de cas approfondies réalisées dans 2 entreprises opérant dans le domaine de la technologie numérique au Brésil, nous analysons les processus qui structurent l'ACAP, à la recherche de configurations opérationnelles permettant l'absorption des connaissances. L'étude s'appuie sur la notion de méta-routines qui définissent l'objectif général et abstrait des routines ACAP. Ces méta-routines sont exprimées par des routines pratiquées de l'ACAP qui sont spécifiques à l'entreprise, idiosyncratiques et observables. Les résultats révèlent la preuve d'interdépendances entre les routines pratiquées, suggérant l'existence d'attributs de complémentarité entre leurs méta-routines connexes. De plus, le cadre proposé met en évidence l'enchaînement de ces routines pratiquées et leur adéquation aux sous-capacités de l'ACAP. D'un point de vue managérial, ces résultats apportent des nouveaux regards pour la construction de la capacité absorptive dans les organisations. Des implications et des suggestions pour des futures études sont incluses.

Keywords:

• Absorptive capacities
• knowledge absorption
• practiced routines
• SMEs

Mots-clés:

• Capacité d’absorption
• absorption des connaissances
• routines pratiquées
• PMEs

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest reported.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel—Brazil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001.

Notes on contributors

Marcio Augusto Lassance Cunha Filho

Marcio Augusto Lassance Cunha Filho is a PhD student in business management at University of Grenoble Alpes (UGA) in Grenoble, France in joint supervision with the Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE) in São Paulo, Brazil. He has a master degree in business administration at Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC-MG) at Belo Horizonte, Brazil. His main research interests are: knowledge management, absorptive capacity (ACAP), organizational learning, dynamic capabilities, innovation and strategic management. He is an independent professor of business management in post-graduate lato sensu programs in Brazil. He also develop and implement theoretical and practical training in business management and complex problem solving as an organizational consultant. Marcio previous experience includes 30 years as a corporate executive professional in national and multinational companies having held senior positions with direct report to president/CEO in operations, manufacturing, logistics & distribution, procurement & purchasing, projects, human resources and marketing. Email addresses: [email protected]; [email protected]. For further academic information, refer to http://lattes.cnpq.br/3778418249414369 or https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4290-3147.