TY - JOUR
T1 - The differential effects of potential and realized absorptive capacity on imitation and innovation strategies, and its impact on sustained competitive advantage
AU - Algarni, Mohammad A.
AU - Ali, Murad
AU - Leal-Rodríguez, Antonio L.
AU - Albort-Morant, Gema
N1 - Funding information: This project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia under grant no. (KEP-Msc-1-120-38). The authors, therefore, gratefully acknowledge with thanks DSR technical and financial support.
PY - 2023/3/1
Y1 - 2023/3/1
N2 - Drawing on the knowledge-based view of the firm and the theory of resources and capabilities, this study attempts to (i) investigate the differential antecedent roles of knowledge-based capabilities such as potential and realized absorptive capacity on imitation and innovation strategies, and (ii) to assess how such interactions lead firms to achieve a sustained competitive advantage. Using quantitative data from 211 managers in middle and top managerial roles, we conducted structural equation modeling via partial least squares. This paper contends that imitation and innovation strategies might be complementary while yielding competitive advantages, and that the degree to which organizations absorb external knowledge has an impact on this connection. Contrary to previous research, this novel focus treats innovation and imitation strategies as distinct, but not opposing, notions. The results of this study fill a knowledge gap in the field of innovation management and provide empirical evidence for the interplay between absorptive capacity and the two complementary business strategies—innovation and imitation—which aids organizations in maintaining their competitive advantages.
AB - Drawing on the knowledge-based view of the firm and the theory of resources and capabilities, this study attempts to (i) investigate the differential antecedent roles of knowledge-based capabilities such as potential and realized absorptive capacity on imitation and innovation strategies, and (ii) to assess how such interactions lead firms to achieve a sustained competitive advantage. Using quantitative data from 211 managers in middle and top managerial roles, we conducted structural equation modeling via partial least squares. This paper contends that imitation and innovation strategies might be complementary while yielding competitive advantages, and that the degree to which organizations absorb external knowledge has an impact on this connection. Contrary to previous research, this novel focus treats innovation and imitation strategies as distinct, but not opposing, notions. The results of this study fill a knowledge gap in the field of innovation management and provide empirical evidence for the interplay between absorptive capacity and the two complementary business strategies—innovation and imitation—which aids organizations in maintaining their competitive advantages.
KW - Imitation and innovation strategies
KW - PLS-SEM
KW - Potential absorptive capacity
KW - Realized absorptive capacity
KW - Sustained competitive advantage
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85146671378&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113674
DO - 10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113674
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85146671378
SN - 0148-2963
VL - 158
SP - 1
EP - 15
JO - Journal of Business Research
JF - Journal of Business Research
M1 - 113674
ER -
