Microfoundations of dynamic capabilities: experiences of apparel product developers

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper was to explore apparel product developers’ experiences with microfoundations of dynamic capabilities while at work. A phenomenological qualitative approach was pursued to complete in-depth interviews and analyze the data. Apparel product developers were interviewed because literature supports that product development constitutes a dynamic capability. The findings of this study propose a conceptual framework that explains the experiences of apparel product developers with the microfoundations dynamic capabilities. The conceptual framework illustrates inhibitors, facilitators, and occurrences of the microfoundations for apparel product developers and can facilitate strategic and innovative decisions for firms and inform academic programmes. This study offers new insight into the microfoundations of dynamic capabilities from the perspectives and experiences of apparel product developers. It also proposes that non-managerial personnel can initiate and complete the microfoundations of dynamic capabilities: Sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring.

KEYWORDS:

• Apparel product development
• innovation
• microfoundations of dynamic capabilities
• product developer
• sports apparel

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by California Association of Family Consumer Sciences.