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Absorptive Capacity in a Non-Market Environment

Author

Listed:
  • Gill Harvey
  • Chris Skelcher
  • Eileen Spencer
  • Pauline Jas
  • Kieran Walshe

Abstract

Improved performance by public sector organizations is a political imperative in numerous countries. There are particular challenges in turnaround of poorly performing organizations. Theoretical explanations of the performance trajectories of public organizations, and especially the causes of failure, highlight the importance of knowledge processes, often from an organizational learning perspective. Absorptive capacity provides an alternative way of theorizing the relationships between organizational performance and knowledge processes, derived from the resource-based view of the firm and the broader concept of dynamic capabilities. The article reviews the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological implications of applying absorptive capacity to the performance of public organizations. It concludes that the approach has value and presents a number of propositions to be tested through empirical study, alongside some more general challenges for researchers who wish to study the concept further. The high political salience of public organizations' performance, and the costs of failure, mandates a major research effort on these issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Gill Harvey & Chris Skelcher & Eileen Spencer & Pauline Jas & Kieran Walshe, 2010. "Absorptive Capacity in a Non-Market Environment," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(1), pages 77-97, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:pubmgr:v:12:y:2010:i:1:p:77-97
    DOI: 10.1080/14719030902817923
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    Cited by:

    1. Yusuf Anthony Olukayode & Musa Nofiu Abiodun & Kadiri Dele Samuel & Ebunoluwa Esther Ilori & Opawole Akintayo, 2022. "Capability improvement measures of the public sector for implementation of building information modeling in construction projects," Organization, Technology and Management in Construction, Sciendo, vol. 14(1), pages 2710-2730, January.
    2. Muhammad Jahanzaib Yousaf & Qamar Ali, 2018. "Impact of Knowledge Management on Innovation: Evidence from a South Asian Country," Journal of Information & Knowledge Management (JIKM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 17(03), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Szymaniec-Mlicka Karolina, 2014. "Resource-based view in strategic management of public organizations – a review of the literature," Management, Sciendo, vol. 18(2), pages 19-30, December.
    4. Eleonora Cardillo & Carmela Rizza, 2015. "Accrual accounting and performance measurement: Empirical evidences from two Italian municipalities," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2015(2), pages 135-162.
    5. Tony Bovaird, 2010. "A Brief Intellectual History of the Public–Private Partnership Movement," Chapters, in: Graeme A. Hodge & Carsten Greve & Anthony E. Boardman (ed.), International Handbook on Public–Private Partnerships, chapter 3, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    6. Nanik Kustiningsih & Bambang Tjahjadi & Noorlailie Soewarno, 2022. "Projecting Experience of Technology-Based MSMEs in Indonesia: Role of Absorptive Capacity Matter in Strategic Alliances and Organizational Performance Relationship," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-19, September.

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