University of Sussex
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Depth and breadth of external knowledge search and performance: The mediating role of absorptive capacity

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 01:39 authored by Jose Luis Ferreras-Mendez, Susan Newell, Anabel Fernandez-Mesa, Joaquin Alegre
Nowadays it is commonly accepted that exploiting external knowledge sources is important for firms' innovation and performance. However, it is still not clear how this effect takes place and what internal capabilities are involved in the process. We propose to open the black box between external knowledge search strategies, and innovation and performance by proposing absorptive capacity (AC) as the mediating variable. A sample of 102 biotechnology firms from Spain is used to test the proposed theoretical model through structural equation modeling taking the partial least squares approach. Results suggest that AC acts as a full mediator in the relationship between the depth of external knowledge search and the innovation and business performance of the firm. Finally, some suggestions for managers and future lines of research are highlighted.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Industrial Marketing Management

ISSN

0019-8501

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

47

Page range

86-97

Department affiliated with

  • Business and Management Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-06-14

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC