Unveiling the Microfoundations of Absorptive Capacity: A Study of Coleman’s Bathtub Model

Andreas Distel · 2017 · Journal of Management

Summary. This study examines how firms develop absorptive capacity—the ability to recognize and use new knowledge. Using data from 342 employees across 106 medical technology companies, the research shows that formal and informal integration mechanisms strengthen absorptive capacity. The effect works through individual-level processes: employees' perspective-taking and creative behavior drive organizational capability. Key employees play a critical role in explaining why some firms absorb knowledge better than others.

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@article{distel-2017-unveiling-microfoundations-absorptive-capacity-study,
  title   = {Unveiling the Microfoundations of Absorptive Capacity: A Study of Coleman’s Bathtub Model},
  author  = {Andreas Distel},
  journal = {Journal of Management},
  year    = {2017},
  doi     = {10.1177/0149206317741963},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206317741963}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Unveiling the Microfoundations of Absorptive Capacity: A Study of Coleman’s Bathtub Model
AU  - Andreas Distel
JO  - Journal of Management
PY  - 2017
DO  - 10.1177/0149206317741963
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206317741963
ER  - 

Details

DOI

10.1177/0149206317741963

Countries

Denmark

Regions

Europe

Categories

innovation-theory, innovation-networks, general-innovation

Added

2026-04-28