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Knowing, power and materiality: a critical review and reconceptualization of absorptive capacity

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 18:05 authored by Marco Marabelli, Susan Newell
Most studies on absorptive capacity (AC) are based on assumptions that are characteristic of viewing knowledge from an epistemology of possession (knowledge is possessed by individuals and is transferrable). However, the literature on managing knowledge (or better knowledge work) acknowledges also an epistemology of practice (knowledge is unpredictable and dynamic and constituted in and through practice). Moreover, the literature on AC is relatively silent on the relationship between knowledge and power. In this paper, the authors argue that the AC construct should be interpreted in light of the possession and the practice perspectives of knowledge and power. The analysis includes a systematic literature review of AC that supports the authors' claims and, based on this, they suggest an interpretation of the construct that takes into account knowledge–power relationships. This review and theorizing contribute to a richer and processual view of AC.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

International Journal Of Management Reviews

ISSN

1468-2370

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing

Issue

4

Volume

16

Page range

479-499

Department affiliated with

  • Business and Management Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2014-08-12

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