In business administration, desorptive capacity has been defined as "an organization’s ability to identify technology transfer opportunities based on a firm’s outward technology transfer strategy and to facilitate the technology’s application at the recipient".[1] It is considered as a complement to absorptive capacity, and it may be a driver of a successful knowledge transfer.[2][3]
The original concept
editFollowing the absorptive capacity concept of Cohen and Levinthal (1990),[4] the notion of desorptive capacity was first mentioned as an important capability in an open innovation framework[5] in 2009 and further explicated in an article about interorganizational technology transfer in 2010.[6] The term 'desorptive capacity' follows the terminology of the scientific process of 'desorption' because the process of desorbing is the opposite of absorbing. Like absorptive capacity, desorptive capacity is usually considered as a dynamic capability of an organization, which can be studied at organizational, group and individual level. In particular, it may affect a firm's performance in outward knowledge transfer and, therefore, it may also be a determinant of successful knowledge transfer between two organizations, units or persons. As such, it contributes to examining the entire interorganizational knowledge transfer process from sender to receiver. While prior technological knowledge is a key driver of absorptive capacity,[7] prior market knowledge is a major determinant of desorptive capacity because the knowledge source needs to have some prior understanding about the application at the recipient to effectively transfer knowledge.[8] According to the theoretical concept and subsequent empirical studies, desorptive capacity may determine the potential volume and success of knowledge transfer, and it consists of the two process stages identification and transfer.[9]
Further applications
editThe distinction of desorptive capacity's process stages identification and transfer has been further detailed as exploratory desorptive capacity and exploitative desorptive capacity.[10] According to this perspective, exploratory desorptive capacity comprises searching for opportunities, monitoring of knowledge and initiation of collaboration, whereas exploitative desorptive capacity refers to customer interaction, organization of knowledge transfer and coordination to reflect on external needs.[11]
Many empirical studies have examined the role, antecedents and consequences of desorptive capacity. In particular, empirical research has shown that desorptive capacity and absorptive capacity actually are complementary[12][13] and positively affect a firm's performance[14][15][16] as well as knowledge transfer success,[17][18][19] network and supply chain management[20][21] and open innovation outcomes.[22][23][24] Beyond knowledge transfer of companies, desorptive capacity is positively associated with university technology transfer.[25] Besides market knowledge, several other antecedents and drivers of an organization's level of desorptive capacity have been identified, including leadership,[26] management innovation,[27] ambidexterity[28] and the individual attitudes of an organization's members, such as Not-Sold-Here attitudes.[29]
The importance of desorptive capacity further increases in light of the megatrends of digital transformation and sustainability.[30][31] Digitalization strengthens the role of innovation ecosystems with a high importance of knowledge sharing.[32] In a similar vein, sustainability management often focuses on environmental sustainability and reducing emissions, which also requires increasing attention to the source of knowledge, products etc.[33]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Lichtenthaler, Ulrich; Lichtenthaler, Eckhard (November 2010). "Technology Transfer across Organizational Boundaries: Absorptive Capacity and Desorptive Capacity". California Management Review. 53 (1): 154–170. doi:10.1525/cmr.2010.53.1.154. ISSN 0008-1256. S2CID 153462623.
- ^ van Doren, Davy; Khanagha, Saeed; Volberda, Henk W.; Caniëls, Marjolein C. J. (2021-03-09). "The external commercialisation of technology in emerging domains – the antecedents, consequences, and dimensions of desorptive capacity". Technology Analysis & Strategic Management. 34 (3): 258–273. doi:10.1080/09537325.2021.1895103. ISSN 0953-7325.
- ^ Gür, Ufuk (2021), "Absorptive Capacity Approach to Technology Transfer at Corporate Accelerators: A Systematic Literature Review", New Perspectives in Technology Transfer, FGF Studies in Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 51–69, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-61477-5_4, ISBN 978-3-030-61476-8, S2CID 234241862, retrieved 2021-07-21
- ^ Cohen, Wesley M.; Levinthal, Daniel A. (March 1990). "Absorptive Capacity: A New Perspective on Learning and Innovation". Administrative Science Quarterly. 35 (1): 128. doi:10.2307/2393553. ISSN 0001-8392. JSTOR 2393553. S2CID 16902520.
- ^ Lichtenthaler, Ulrich; Lichtenthaler, Eckhard (December 2009). "A Capability-Based Framework for Open Innovation: Complementing Absorptive Capacity". Journal of Management Studies. 46 (8): 1315–1338. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6486.2009.00854.x. ISSN 0022-2380. S2CID 54968495.
- ^ Lichtenthaler, Ulrich; Lichtenthaler, Eckhard (November 2010). "Technology Transfer across Organizational Boundaries: Absorptive Capacity and Desorptive Capacity". California Management Review. 53 (1): 154–170. doi:10.1525/cmr.2010.53.1.154. ISSN 0008-1256. S2CID 153462623.
- ^ Cohen, Wesley M.; Levinthal, Daniel A. (March 1990). "Absorptive Capacity: A New Perspective on Learning and Innovation". Administrative Science Quarterly. 35 (1): 128. doi:10.2307/2393553. ISSN 0001-8392. JSTOR 2393553. S2CID 16902520.
- ^ Lichtenthaler, Ulrich; Lichtenthaler, Eckhard (November 2010). "Technology Transfer across Organizational Boundaries: Absorptive Capacity and Desorptive Capacity". California Management Review. 53 (1): 154–170. doi:10.1525/cmr.2010.53.1.154. ISSN 0008-1256. S2CID 153462623.
- ^ Lichtenthaler, Ulrich; Lichtenthaler, Eckhard (November 2010). "Technology Transfer across Organizational Boundaries: Absorptive Capacity and Desorptive Capacity". California Management Review. 53 (1): 154–170. doi:10.1525/cmr.2010.53.1.154. ISSN 0008-1256. S2CID 153462623.
- ^ van Doren, Davy; Khanagha, Saeed; Volberda, Henk W.; Caniëls, Marjolein C. J. (2021-03-09). "The external commercialisation of technology in emerging domains – the antecedents, consequences, and dimensions of desorptive capacity". Technology Analysis & Strategic Management. 34 (3): 258–273. doi:10.1080/09537325.2021.1895103. ISSN 0953-7325.
- ^ van Doren, Davy; Khanagha, Saeed; Volberda, Henk W.; Caniëls, Marjolein C. J. (2021-03-09). "The external commercialisation of technology in emerging domains – the antecedents, consequences, and dimensions of desorptive capacity". Technology Analysis & Strategic Management. 34 (3): 258–273. doi:10.1080/09537325.2021.1895103. ISSN 0953-7325.
- ^ Aliasghar, Omid; Haar, Jarrod (May 2021). "Open innovation: Are absorptive and desorptive capabilities complementary?". International Business Review. 32 (2): 101865. doi:10.1016/j.ibusrev.2021.101865. ISSN 0969-5931. S2CID 236383089.
- ^ Roldán Bravo, María Isabel; Stevenson, Mark; Moreno, Antonia Ruiz; Lloréns Montes, Francisco Javier (2019-07-16). "Absorptive and desorptive capacity configurations in supply chains: An inverted U-shaped relationship". International Journal of Production Research. 58 (7): 2036–2053. doi:10.1080/00207543.2019.1642530. hdl:10481/67319. ISSN 0020-7543. S2CID 199085862.
- ^ Aliasghar, Omid; Haar, Jarrod (May 2021). "Open innovation: Are absorptive and desorptive capabilities complementary?". International Business Review. 32 (2): 101865. doi:10.1016/j.ibusrev.2021.101865. ISSN 0969-5931. S2CID 236383089.
- ^ Ziegler, Nicole; Ruether, Frauke; Bader, Martin A.; Gassmann, Oliver (2013-03-02). "Creating value through external intellectual property commercialization: a desorptive capacity view". The Journal of Technology Transfer. 38 (6): 930–949. doi:10.1007/s10961-013-9305-z. ISSN 0892-9912. S2CID 153431703.
- ^ Kim, Hyojoon; Kim, Youngwoo; Cho, Keuntae (2014-07-03). "The effect of research and development investment and desorptive capacity on firm performance". Asian Journal of Technology Innovation. 22 (2): 252–267. doi:10.1080/19761597.2014.973163. ISSN 1976-1597. S2CID 154996936.
- ^ van Doren, Davy; Khanagha, Saeed; Volberda, Henk W.; Caniëls, Marjolein C. J. (2021-03-09). "The external commercialisation of technology in emerging domains – the antecedents, consequences, and dimensions of desorptive capacity". Technology Analysis & Strategic Management. 34 (3): 258–273. doi:10.1080/09537325.2021.1895103. ISSN 0953-7325.
- ^ Kim, Eungdo; Lee, InGyu; Kim, Hongbum; Shin, Kwangsoo (2021-04-07). "Factors Affecting Outbound Open Innovation Performance in Bio-Pharmaceutical Industry-Focus on Out-Licensing Deals". Sustainability. 13 (8): 4122. doi:10.3390/su13084122. ISSN 2071-1050.
- ^ LAGER, THOMAS; HASSAN-BECK, HAITEM (2020-07-23). "Managing Inter-Firm Process Technology Transfer: Success Factors and Organisational Perspectives". International Journal of Innovation Management. 25 (2): 2150018. doi:10.1142/s1363919621500183. ISSN 1363-9196. S2CID 225440325.
- ^ Müller-Seitz, Gordon (2011-12-27). "Absorptive and desorptive capacity-related practices at the network level – the case of SEMATECH". R&D Management. 42 (1): 90–99. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9310.2011.00668.x. ISSN 0033-6807. S2CID 154698452.
- ^ Meinlschmidt, Jan; Foerstl, Kai; Kirchoff, Jon F (2016-03-07). "The role of absorptive and desorptive capacity (ACDC) in sustainable supply management". International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management. 46 (2): 177–211. doi:10.1108/ijpdlm-05-2015-0138. ISSN 0960-0035.
- ^ Roldán Bravo, María Isabel; Ruiz Moreno, Antonia; Garcia Garcia, Alejandro; Huertas-Valdivia, Irene (2021-06-21). "How open innovation practices drive innovation performance: moderated-mediation in the interplay between overcoming syndromes and capabilities". Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing. 37 (2): 366–384. doi:10.1108/jbim-02-2020-0106. ISSN 0885-8624. S2CID 237818919.
- ^ Sprakel, Eurico; Machado, Andre (2021-01-06). "Open Innovation Strategies and Appropriability in Knowledge-Intensive Business Services: Evidences and Implications in the Brazilian Context". Brazilian Business Review. 18 (1): 62–81. doi:10.15728/bbr.2021.18.1.4. ISSN 1808-2386.
- ^ Quail, John (2020-03-03), "The proprietorial theory of the firm and its consequences*", Management and Industry, Routledge, pp. 73–110, doi:10.4324/9780429399770-4, ISBN 978-0-429-39977-0, S2CID 216168099, retrieved 2021-07-21
- ^ Koo, Youngseong; Cho, Keuntae (2021-05-07). "The Relationship between Patents, Technology Transfer and Desorptive Capacity in Korean Universities". Sustainability. 13 (9): 5253. doi:10.3390/su13095253. ISSN 2071-1050.
- ^ Daghfous, Abdelkader (February 2004). "Organizational learning, knowledge and technology transfer: a case study". The Learning Organization. 11 (1): 67–83. doi:10.1108/09696470410515733. ISSN 0969-6474.
- ^ van Doren, Davy; Khanagha, Saeed; Volberda, Henk W.; Caniëls, Marjolein C. J. (2021-03-09). "The external commercialisation of technology in emerging domains – the antecedents, consequences, and dimensions of desorptive capacity". Technology Analysis & Strategic Management. 34 (3): 258–273. doi:10.1080/09537325.2021.1895103. ISSN 0953-7325.
- ^ Roldán Bravo, María Isabel; Ruiz-Moreno, Antonia; Lloréns Montes, Francisco Javier (2018-02-05). "Examining desorptive capacity in supply chains: the role of organizational ambidexterity". International Journal of Operations & Production Management. 38 (2): 534–553. doi:10.1108/ijopm-12-2016-0751. hdl:10481/67308. ISSN 0144-3577.
- ^ Lichtenthaler, Ulrich (2011-02-01). "Open Innovation: Past Research, Current Debates, and Future Directions". Academy of Management Perspectives. 25 (1): 75–93. doi:10.5465/amp.2011.59198451 (inactive 2024-07-06). ISSN 1558-9080.
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: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2024 (link) - ^ Braojos, Jessica; Benitez, Jose; Llorens, Javier; Ruiz, Laura (November 2020). "Impact of IT integration on the firm's knowledge absorption and desorption". Information & Management. 57 (7): 103290. doi:10.1016/j.im.2020.103290. ISSN 0378-7206. S2CID 213017731.
- ^ Meinlschmidt, Jan; Foerstl, Kai; Kirchoff, Jon F (2016-03-07). "The role of absorptive and desorptive capacity (ACDC) in sustainable supply management". International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management. 46 (2): 177–211. doi:10.1108/ijpdlm-05-2015-0138. ISSN 0960-0035.
- ^ Braojos, Jessica; Benitez, Jose; Llorens, Javier; Ruiz, Laura (November 2020). "Impact of IT integration on the firm's knowledge absorption and desorption". Information & Management. 57 (7): 103290. doi:10.1016/j.im.2020.103290. ISSN 0378-7206. S2CID 213017731.
- ^ Behnam, Sarah; Cagliano, Raffaella; Grijalvo, Mercedes (January 2018). "How should firms reconcile their open innovation capabilities for incorporating external actors in innovations aimed at sustainable development?". Journal of Cleaner Production. 170: 950–965. Bibcode:2018JCPro.170..950B. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.09.168. hdl:11311/1049743. ISSN 0959-6526. S2CID 111382390.