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The Impact of Absorptive Capacity on Innovation: The Mediating Role of Organizational Learning

Author

Listed:
  • Rafael Sancho-Zamora

    (Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Law and Social Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13003 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • Felipe Hernández-Perlines

    (Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Law and Social Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain)

  • Isidro Peña-García

    (Department of Business Administration, School of Computer Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13003 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • Santiago Gutiérrez-Broncano

    (Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Social Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain)

Abstract

Although the relevant literature has already demonstrated the impact that absorptive capacity has on companies’ innovation capacity, we have found few studies that analyze the role of learning capability in this relationship. The main objective of this study was to examine the role of organizational learning in this relationship. For this purpose, a quantitative research approach was used. A total of 306 valid questionnaires were obtained from small and medium-sized Spanish companies in different sectors. The collected data were analyzed using the multivariate Partial Least Square (PLS) quantitative structural equation technique. According to the result, absorption capacity turns into innovation mainly when learning capacity is involved in this process. This study provides empirical evidence of this relationship and fills this gap. It can also help organizations understand and clarify what would be the most appropriate way in to manage knowledge to improve their innovation levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafael Sancho-Zamora & Felipe Hernández-Perlines & Isidro Peña-García & Santiago Gutiérrez-Broncano, 2022. "The Impact of Absorptive Capacity on Innovation: The Mediating Role of Organizational Learning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:2:p:842-:d:723325
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Mauricio Bedoya-Villa & Elkin Pérez-Sánchez & Hugo Baier-Fuentes & Cesar Zapata-Molina & Edith Román-Castaño, 2023. "The Effects of Dynamic Absorptive Capacity on Innovation Strategy: Evidence from SMEs in a Technological Context," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-20, May.
    3. Eduardo Sánchez-García & Bartolomé Marco-Lajara & Pedro Seva-Larrosa & Javier Martínez-Falcó, 2022. "Driving Innovation by Managing Entrepreneurial Orientation, Cooperation and Learning for the Sustainability of Companies in the Energy Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-17, December.
    4. Vincent K. Chong & Lokman Mia & John Sands & Zhichao Alex Wang, 2023. "The effect of nonfinancial performance measures, absorptive capacity, and organizational learning on innovation performance," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 201-233, June.

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