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Designing Absorptive Capacity? An Analysis Of Knowledge Absorption Practices In German High-Tech Firms

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  • STEPHANIE DUCHEK

    (Faculty of Business and Economics, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany)

Abstract

The concept of absorptive capacity was introduced by Cohen and Levinthal in 1989 as an important condition for high innovativeness. Since then it has been enhanced through reconceptualisations and extended by various empirical studies. Despite the growing interest in the concept, the processes and practices of absorptive capacity have largely remained a "black box". To fill this gap, the paper develops a practice-based approach of absorptive capacity and provides an in-depth empirical investigation to shed more light on the practice of knowledge absorption. Drawing on the case studies of two German high-tech firms, the paper focusses on practices designed by the management to facilitate knowledge absorption and shows how these practices were actually enacted. The paper contributes to a better understanding of the complex construction of absorptive capacity and gives useful insights for a successful management of knowledge absorption.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephanie Duchek, 2015. "Designing Absorptive Capacity? An Analysis Of Knowledge Absorption Practices In German High-Tech Firms," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 19(04), pages 1-22.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ijimxx:v:19:y:2015:i:04:n:s1363919615500449
    DOI: 10.1142/S1363919615500449
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wolfgang Becker & Juergen Peters, 2000. "Technological Opportunities, Absorptive Capacities, and Innovation," Discussion Paper Series 195, Universitaet Augsburg, Institute for Economics.
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    Cited by:

    1. Weidner, Nadia & Som, Oliver & Horvat, Djerdj, 2023. "An integrated conceptual framework for analysing heterogeneous configurations of absorptive capacity in manufacturing firms with the DUI innovation mode," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    2. Cuervo-Cazurra, Alvaro & Rui, Huaichuan, 2017. "Barriers to absorptive capacity in emerging market firms," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(6), pages 727-742.

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