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Moderating Effect of Proactivity on Firm Absorptive Capacity and Performance: Empirical Evidence from Spanish Firms

Author

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  • Rafael Sancho-Zamora

    (Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Law and Social Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Calle de las Cuadras, 2, 13003 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • Isidro Peña-García

    (Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Law and Social Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Calle de las Cuadras, 2, 13003 Ciudad Real, Spain)

  • Santiago Gutiérrez-Broncano

    (Department of Business Administration, Faculty Social Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda. Real Fábrica de Seda, s/n, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Spain)

  • Felipe Hernández-Perlines

    (Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Law and Social Science, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cobertizo de San Pedro Mártir, s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand how proactivity can affect the relationship between absorptive capacity and organisational performance. Most previous studies have ignored the role of proactivity in this relationship and have not considered the multidimensional nature of absorptive capacity. A questionnaire was sent to 800 CEOs of Spanish companies from different sectors, procuring a response rate of 38.25%. A structural equation model was applied to test the hypothesis. This study confirms the positive effect that absorptive capacity has on business performance and the moderating role of proactivity in this relationship. Companies that develop their capacity to absorb information from the environment achieve better results. Furthermore, if they engage in proactive behaviour within their company, this relationship is stronger. Future research should include more capacities that are related to knowledge and business performance (i.e., learning capability, innovation capacity, etc.). This study contributes to the understanding of how to manage a company’s knowledge in an appropriate way. It sheds new light on how knowledge management should be conducted, emphasising not only the gathering of information but also the promotion of a proactive attitude on the part of employees to achieve the goal of better performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafael Sancho-Zamora & Isidro Peña-García & Santiago Gutiérrez-Broncano & Felipe Hernández-Perlines, 2021. "Moderating Effect of Proactivity on Firm Absorptive Capacity and Performance: Empirical Evidence from Spanish Firms," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(17), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:9:y:2021:i:17:p:2099-:d:625591
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    2. D'Souza, Derrick E. & Fan, Gang, 2022. "A capability-anchored articulation of the EO-organizational performance relationship in emergent and post-emergent organizations," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 107-117.
    3. Rubio-Andrés, Mercedes & Ramos-González, Mª del Mar & Sastre-Castillo, Miguel Ángel & Gutiérrez-Broncano, Santiago, 2023. "Stakeholder pressure and innovation capacity of SMEs in the COVID-19 pandemic: Mediating and multigroup analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    4. Rafael Sancho-Zamora & Felipe Hernández-Perlines & Isidro Peña-García & Santiago Gutiérrez-Broncano, 2022. "The Impact of Absorptive Capacity on Innovation: The Mediating Role of Organizational Learning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-15, January.
    5. Mauricio Bedoya-Villa & Elkin Pérez-Sánchez & Hugo Baier-Fuentes & Cesar Zapata-Molina & Edith Román-Castaño, 2023. "The Effects of Dynamic Absorptive Capacity on Innovation Strategy: Evidence from SMEs in a Technological Context," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-20, May.

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