Absorptive Capacity Development in some firms in Brazil: an organizational perspective

Abstract

This article analyzes how some firms that interacted with universities in Brazil combine different organizational processes and characteristics to develop their Absorptive Capacities (ACAP). For that, the techniques of Categorical Principal Component Analysis (CatPCA) and Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) are combined to analyze data from a survey specific to this objective. It is found that different ACAP, associated with different strategies, require different “organizational configurations” to be developed. If ACAP are developed to expand the knowledge base, without a specific application, they depend on the combination of strong personal relationships within and outside the firm. When ACAP are focused on adapting existing technologies, these personal relationships must be combined with managerial practices for the participation of employees in strategic innovative projects. Finally, if ACAP are developed to achieve results with a specific appropriability, these internal practices and relationships are combined with a high internal hierarchy that guides the process.