Purpose

This paper aims to enrich absorptive capacity literature by specifically highlighting and adding environmental conditions and internationalisation process to the original conceptualisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors undertake a conceptual analysis and present an enhanced framework of absorptive capacity by integrating multiple literature streams. The authors have analysed the most relevant literature to provide underlying justifications for the proposed conceptual model.

Findings

Absorptive capacity ensures the long-term survival and success of a business. To develop absorptive capacity successfully, firms should focus on its various dimensions and existing intangible assets and external environment. The multidimensionality and richness of absorptive capacity is an under-explored area in the existing literature. The authors revisit the conceptualisation of absorptive capacity and add environmental conditions and the internationalisation process to the original conceptualisation. Absorptive capacity does not lead to a competitive advantage independent of its environment. To successfully develop it, firms have to adopt a holistic approach by considering the multi-dimensions, drivers and contextual conditions of absorptive capacity.

Originality/value

This study contributes by conceptualising absorptive capacity as a dynamic capability. It is one of the first studies to specifically propose a framework that combines antecedents (prior knowledge, combinative capabilities and IT capabilities), moderators (environmental conditions, namely, market and technological turbulence, competitiveness and the internationalisation process) and consequences (competitive advantage). The study offers a unique conceptualisation with implications for researchers and managers. As a result, managers will have a well-defined blueprint to create value by using firm capabilities.

中文翻译：

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企业吸收能力：多维性、驱动因素和背景条件

目的

本文旨在通过在原始概念化中特别强调和添加环境条件和国际化过程来丰富吸收能力文献。

设计/方法/方法

作者进行了概念分析，并通过整合多个文献流提出了一个增强的吸收能力框架。作者分析了最相关的文献，为提出的概念模型提供基本的理由。

发现

吸收能力确保企业的长期生存和成功。企业要成功发展吸收能力，就应该关注其各个维度以及现有的无形资产和外部环境。吸收能力的多维性和丰富性是现有文献中未充分探索的领域。作者重新审视了吸收能力的概念化，并将环境条件和国际化过程添加到原始概念化中。吸收能力不会导致独立于环境的竞争优势。为了成功开发它，公司必须通过考虑吸收能力的多维度、驱动因素和背景条件来采用整体方法。

原创性/价值

本研究通过将吸收能力概念化为动态能力而做出贡献。它是最早专门提出一个结合前因（先验知识、组合能力和 IT 能力）、调节因素（环境条件，即市场和技术动荡、竞争力和国际化进程）和后果（竞争优势）的框架的研究之一. 该研究提供了一个独特的概念化，对研究人员和管理人员有影响。因此，管理者将拥有一个明确的蓝图，以利用公司的能力创造价值。