Validation of an instrument to measure absorptive capacity

Absorptive capacity is an ability firms should develop if they wish to adapt to changes in an increasingly competitive and changing environment and to achieve and sustain competitive advantage. Despite the increase in literature on absorptive capacity, some ambiguity remains in determining the dimensions that shape the construct. Thus, no measurement instrument can be adapted to these dimensions. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the literature on absorptive capacity by using a resource-based view to present an alternative measurement instrument for absorptive capacity. This instrument differentiates between the phases of acquisition, assimilation, transformation and exploitation of knowledge, as well as between the two dimensions of absorptive capacity (potential and realized), to reduce the problem of measuring and identifying the dimensions that shape this important construct. The instrument’s validity and reliability are guaranteed and have been tested using data from 168 Spanish organizations.

Research highlights▸ This paper presents an alternative measurement instrument for absorptive capacity. ▸ It differentiates between acquisition, assimilation, transformation and exploitation. ▸ It also differentiates between the two dimensions of absorptive capacity, potential and realized. ▸ The research reduces the problem of measuring the dimensions that shape absorptive capacity. ▸ The instrument’s validity and reliability have been tested using data from 168 Spanish firms.