Managing external knowledge flows: The moderating role of absorptive capacity

Alvaro Escribano, Andrea Fosfuri, Josep A. Tribó

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

643 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)96-105
Number of pages10
JournalResearch Policy
Volume38
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2009

Keywords

  • Absorptive capacity
  • External knowledge flows
  • Innovation

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