Managing external knowledge flows: The moderating role of absorptive capacity

In this paper, we argue that those firms with higher levels of absorptive capacity can manage external knowledge flows more efficiently, and stimulate innovative outcomes. We test this contention with a sample of 2265 Spanish firms, drawn from the Community Innovation Surveys (CIS) for 2000 and 2002...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research policy 2009-02, Vol.38 (1), p.96-105
Main Authors: Escribano, Alvaro, Fosfuri, Andrea, Tribó, Josep A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorptive capacity
Absorptive capacity Innovation External knowledge flows
Business management
Competitive advantage
External knowledge flows
Information exchange
Innovation
Innovations
Intellectual property
Intellectual property rights
Knowledge management
Knowledge transfer
Spain
Statistical analysis
Studies
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Summary:In this paper, we argue that those firms with higher levels of absorptive capacity can manage external knowledge flows more efficiently, and stimulate innovative outcomes. We test this contention with a sample of 2265 Spanish firms, drawn from the Community Innovation Surveys (CIS) for 2000 and 2002, produced by the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE). We find that absorptive capacity is indeed an important source of competitive advantage, especially in sectors characterized by turbulent knowledge and strong intellectual property rights protection. The implications for management practice and policy are also discussed.
ISSN:0048-7333
1873-7625
DOI:10.1016/j.respol.2008.10.022