Ambidexterity in Technology Sourcing: The Moderating Role of Absorptive Capacity

Frank T. Rothaermel, Maria Tereza Alexandre · 2008 · Organization Science

Summary. Manufacturing firms perform best when balancing internal technology development with external sourcing, following an inverted U-shaped relationship. However, a firm's absorptive capacity—its ability to recognize and integrate external knowledge—moderates this effect. Companies with stronger absorptive capacity gain greater performance benefits from balanced technology sourcing strategies than those with weaker capacity.

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Rothaermel, F. T., & Alexandre, M. T.. (2008). Ambidexterity in Technology Sourcing: The Moderating Role of Absorptive Capacity. Organization Science. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1080.0404

@article{rothaermel-2008-ambidexterity-technology-sourcing-moderating-role,
  title   = {Ambidexterity in Technology Sourcing: The Moderating Role of Absorptive Capacity},
  author  = {Frank T. Rothaermel and Maria Tereza Alexandre},
  journal = {Organization Science},
  year    = {2008},
  doi     = {10.1287/orsc.1080.0404},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1080.0404}
}

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TI  - Ambidexterity in Technology Sourcing: The Moderating Role of Absorptive Capacity
AU  - Frank T. Rothaermel
AU  - Maria Tereza Alexandre
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DO  - 10.1287/orsc.1080.0404
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Details

DOI: 10.1287/orsc.1080.0404
Countries: United States
Regions: North America
Categories: innovation-theory, innovation-networks, general-innovation
Added: 2026-04-28