Organisational learning capability, product innovation performance and export intensity

Abstract

The hypothesis that managerial characteristics which facilitate the organisational learning process can provide firms with a basis for competitive advantage has received a great deal of attention. While there is evidence that organisational learning affects export intensity, we argue that intermediate variables, such as innovation, should be used in order to evaluate its impact in organisations. This study shows that firms with a higher organisational learning capability tend to be more innovative, and for this reason, they are more likely to export a higher share of their production. From a longitudinal perspective, we use structural equation modeling on a database from Italian and Spanish ceramic tile producers, worldwide leaders in terms of technology. The database combines primary and secondary data. The results support our theoretical conjectures. Findings improve our understanding of the antecedents of export intensity and are related to previous research.

Keywords:

• technology & innovation studies
• quantitative
• organisational learning
• strategic management

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Science and Innovation (SEJ2006-13889/ECON and ECO2008-00729) for their financial support for this research.