The configuration of internal and external practiced routines of absorptive capacity: a new perspective

摘要: The fifteen years following the introduction of seminal construct absorptive capacity (AC) by Cohen and Levinthal (1989, 1990) have seen proliferation a vast literature citing AC in over 1500 published papers, chapters books interpreting it or applying many areas organization science research, including theory, strategic management, economics. However, with very few exceptions, specific organizational routines processes that constitute capabilities remain black box. In this paper we propose routine based model also operationalizes construct. We decompose into two components, internal external capabilities, identify configuration meta-routines underlying these components. are expressed within organizations configurations practiced observable measurable. ability to discover implement complementarities between may explain why some firms successful early adopters most imitators. Success as an adopter new management practice innovation is expected depend on extent which designs implements its routines.