Absorptive Capacity: A Process Perspective
Summary. Absorptive capacity—an organization's ability to recognize, assimilate, and apply external knowledge—remains poorly understood despite decades of research. This paper argues that quantitative studies have failed to reveal how absorptive capacity actually works. Using case studies across three sectors, the authors demonstrate that a process-based approach must account for power dynamics and organizational boundaries to explain how knowledge truly gets absorbed and used.
Cite this article
Easterby‐Smith, M., Graça, M., Antonacopoulou, E. P., & Ferdinand, J.. (2008). Absorptive Capacity: A Process Perspective. Management Learning. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350507608096037
Easterby‐Smith, Mark, et al. “Absorptive Capacity: A Process Perspective.” Management Learning, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350507608096037.
Easterby‐Smith, Mark, Manuel Graça, Elena P. Antonacopoulou, and Jason Ferdinand. 2008. “Absorptive Capacity: A Process Perspective.” Management Learning. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350507608096037.
@article{easterby-smith-2008-absorptive-capacity-process-perspective,
title = {Absorptive Capacity: A Process Perspective},
author = {Mark Easterby‐Smith and Manuel Graça and Elena P. Antonacopoulou and Jason Ferdinand},
journal = {Management Learning},
year = {2008},
doi = {10.1177/1350507608096037},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/1350507608096037}
}
TY - JOUR TI - Absorptive Capacity: A Process Perspective AU - Mark Easterby‐Smith AU - Manuel Graça AU - Elena P. Antonacopoulou AU - Jason Ferdinand JO - Management Learning PY - 2008 DO - 10.1177/1350507608096037 UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/1350507608096037 ER -
Details
- DOI
- 10.1177/1350507608096037
- Countries
- United Kingdom, Portugal
- Regions
- Europe
- Categories
- innovation-theory, innovation-networks, general-innovation
- Added
- 2026-04-28