Purpose

Prior research suggests that organizational alliances' contribution to innovation performance is conditional to absorptive capacity (AC). Instead of an antecedent of alliances, in this study, the authors conceptualize and evaluate AC as an outcome of alliance intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors tested their theoretical framework using multivariate statistical analysis on data collected from a survey applied to dedicated biotechnology firms (DBFs) from three countries: Brazil, Portugal and Spain.

Findings

First, the results show that whereas the high alliance intensity effect is positive and stronger on RAC, it is negative and weaker on PAC. Second, the alliance intensity effect on RAC is strengthened when firms have alliances only in their home country and the top manager does not have both academic and managerial experiences.

Practical implications

The authors’ study suggests as implications for DBFs: (1) firms should form alliances to develop AC, (2) firms should consider alliances for improving AC when top managers' expertise is not diverse, and (3) firms should consider only alliances with national partners as a differential for AC development.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature of dynamic capabilities, AC, alliances and innovation management by providing empirical validation for key contingencies surrounding the benefits of alliances as an antecedent of AC.

中文翻译：

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联盟强度对吸收能力的不对称影响：潜在能力和实现能力之间的差异

目的

先前的研究表明，组织联盟对创新绩效的贡献取决于吸收能力 (AC)。在这项研究中，作者将 AC 概念化和评估为联盟强度的结果，而不是联盟的前因。

设计/方法/方法

作者对来自巴西、葡萄牙和西班牙这三个国家的专门生物技术公司 (DBF) 的调查收集的数据进行多变量统计分析，测试了他们的理论框架。

发现

首先，结果表明，虽然高联盟强度效应对 RAC 是正的且更强，但它对 PAC 是负的且较弱。其次，当企业仅在其母国建立联盟且高层管理人员没有学术和管理经验时，联盟强度对 RAC 的影响会增强。

实际影响

作者的研究表明对 DBF 的影响是：(1) 公司应该结成联盟来发展 AC，(2) 当高层管理人员的专业知识不多样化时，公司应该考虑结成联盟来改善 AC，以及 (3) 公司应该只考虑与国家合作伙伴作为交流发展的差异。

原创性/价值

这项研究通过为围绕作为 AC 前因的联盟利益的关键意外事件提供实证验证，为动态能力、AC、联盟和创新管理的文献做出了贡献。