E-Learning technologies: A key to Dynamic Capabilities

The field of Dynamic Capabilities has evolved very rapidly in recent years. Enhancing Dynamic Capabilities is considered to be a major tool to achieving a sustained competitive advantage. However, Dynamic Capabilities are inherently complex and there is a great deal of research on their various contributing factors. On a parallel research track, much has been written on the significance and long-lasting contribution of Knowledge Management and Learning on competitive advantage. Today’s learning in organizations is increasingly centred around Electronic-Learning (E-Learning). This paper suggests that there is a solid link between technological tools (E-Learning), management processes (Knowledge Management) and organizational outcome (Dynamic Capabilities), and discusses the impact of E-Learning technologies on for-profit organizations as a means of enhancing Dynamic Capabilities through Knowledge Sharing, both within and across the organization’s boundaries. Managers and knowledge experts in three leading companies were surveyed. The findings show that firms can acquire significant Dynamic Capabilities by using E-Learning technologies to promote Knowledge Sharing. It is further concluded that using E-Learning for developing channels of Knowledge Sharing across the organization helps to ensure excellence and competitiveness by increasing much sought-after Dynamic Capabilities.

► We study knowledge-related antecedents to Dynamic Capabilities (DC).
► Antecedents include E-Learning and Knowledge Sharing (KS).
► Knowledge Sharing found to mediate between E-Learning and Dynamic Capabilities.
► Positive contribution of E-Learning on Knowledge Sharing and Dynamic Capabilities.
► Results indicate potential reward to firms striving to share knowledge externally.