Absorptive capacity is mediated through knowledge management capacity on innovation output and performance in technology-oriented firms. While prior research work has focused on the direct effect of absorptive capacity on innovation, in this paper, our model posits that absorptive capacity is more efficient in promoting firms’ innovation provided that it is supported by systematic knowledge management practices. We tested this model that included all four components of absorptive capacity using a sample of 127 manufacturing and technology firms in Croatia. Structural equation modeling procedures were used to test hypotheses. Our findings confirm the significance of the relationship between absorptive capacity and knowledge management within firms. Furthermore, we found that firms with higher acquisition and transformation dimensions of absorptive capacity can enhance and replenish their knowledge management practices, which in return result in higher innovation output. These findings extend previous research work by explaining the sometimes-contradictory findings concerning knowledge management practices, which firms may adopt to enhance their absorptive capacity.

中文翻译：

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不断发展的吸收能力：系统知识管理的中介作用

吸收能力是通过技术导向型企业创新产出和绩效的知识管理能力来调节的。虽然先前的研究工作侧重于吸收能力对创新的直接影响，但在本文中，我们的模型假设吸收能力在促进企业创新方面更有效，前提是它得到系统知识管理实践的支持。我们使用克罗地亚 127 家制造和技术公司的样本测试了这个模型，其中包括吸收能力的所有四个组成部分。结构方程建模程序用于检验假设。我们的研究结果证实了吸收能力与企业内部知识管理之间关系的重要性。此外，我们发现，具有较高吸收能力的收购和转型维度的公司可以增强和补充其知识管理实践，从而导致更高的创新产出。这些发现通过解释有关知识管理实践的有时相互矛盾的发现来扩展先前的研究工作，公司可能会采用这些发现来增强其吸收能力。