TY - JOUR

T1 - Absorptive and Desorptive Capacity Configurations in Supply Chains

T2 - An Inverted U-shaped Relationship

AU - Roldán Bravo, Maria Isabel

AU - Stevenson, Mark

AU - Ruiz Moreno, Antonia

AU - Llorens-Montes, Javier

N1 - This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Production Research on 16 July 2019, available online:  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00207543.2019.1642530

PY - 2020/4/1

Y1 - 2020/4/1

N2 - The extant literature has highlighted the importance of knowledge transfer between a buyer and its supply network for strengthening supply chain competence. This is a bi-directional exchange where the buyer and supply network each act as the sender and receiver of knowledge. Prior research has however largely focused on the knowledge recipient only. We consider both sender and recipient using two key dynamic capabilities related to knowledge transfer: (i) desorptive capacity, which enables the safe transfer of knowledge from the sender; and, (ii) absorptive capacity, which enables the acquisition and assimilation of external knowledge by the recipient. Using the concept of ‘fit’, we investigate whether organisations strengthen supply chain competence when their desorptive capacity exceeds that of their supply network's (positive misfit) and consider the moderating role of the organisation’s and supply network’s absorptive capacity. Multiple regression analysis of survey data from 250 firms identifies an inverted U-shaped relationship between positive desorptive capacity misfit and supply chain competence. Further, this relationship is shown to be moderated by the supply network’s absorptive capacity level. The paper furthers our understanding of supply chain knowledge management enabling buyers and their supply networks to achieve more successful knowledge transfer outcomes.

AB - The extant literature has highlighted the importance of knowledge transfer between a buyer and its supply network for strengthening supply chain competence. This is a bi-directional exchange where the buyer and supply network each act as the sender and receiver of knowledge. Prior research has however largely focused on the knowledge recipient only. We consider both sender and recipient using two key dynamic capabilities related to knowledge transfer: (i) desorptive capacity, which enables the safe transfer of knowledge from the sender; and, (ii) absorptive capacity, which enables the acquisition and assimilation of external knowledge by the recipient. Using the concept of ‘fit’, we investigate whether organisations strengthen supply chain competence when their desorptive capacity exceeds that of their supply network's (positive misfit) and consider the moderating role of the organisation’s and supply network’s absorptive capacity. Multiple regression analysis of survey data from 250 firms identifies an inverted U-shaped relationship between positive desorptive capacity misfit and supply chain competence. Further, this relationship is shown to be moderated by the supply network’s absorptive capacity level. The paper furthers our understanding of supply chain knowledge management enabling buyers and their supply networks to achieve more successful knowledge transfer outcomes.

KW - Desorptive capacity

KW - absorptive capacity

KW - dynamic capabilities

KW - knowledge management

KW - supply chain

KW - survey

U2 - 10.1080/00207543.2019.1642530

DO - 10.1080/00207543.2019.1642530

M3 - Journal article

VL - 58

SP - 2036

EP - 2053

JO - International Journal of Production Research

JF - International Journal of Production Research

SN - 0020-7543

IS - 7

ER -