Absorptive capacity and relationship learning mechanisms as complementary drivers of green innovation performance
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore in depth how internal and external knowledge-based drivers actually affect the firms’ green innovation performance. Subsequently, this study analyzes the relationships between absorptive capacity (internal knowledge-based driver), relationship learning (external knowledge-based driver) and green innovation performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study relies on a sample of 112 firms belonging to the Spanish automotive components manufacturing sector (ACMS) and uses partial least squares path modeling to test the hypotheses proposed.
Findings
The empirical results show that both absorptive capacity and relationship learning exert a significant positive effect on the dependent variable and that relationship learning moderates the link between absorptive capacity and green innovation performance.
Research limitations/implications
This paper presents some limitations with respect to the particular sector (i.e. the ACMS) and geographical context (Spain). For this reason, researchers must be thoughtful while generalizing these results to distinct scenarios.
Practical implications
Managers should devote more time and resources to reinforce their absorptive capacity as an important strategic tool to generate new knowledge and hence foster green innovation performance in manufacturing industries.
Social implications
The paper shows the importance of encouraging decision-makers to cultivate and rely on relationship learning mechanisms with their main stakeholders and to acquire the necessary information and knowledge that might be valuable in the maturity of green innovations.
Originality/value
This study proposes that relationship learning plays a moderating role in the relationship between absorptive capacity and green innovation performance.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Corrigendum: It has come to the attention of the publisher that the article “Absorptive capacity and relationship learning mechanisms as complementary drivers of green innovation performance” by Gema Albort-Morant, Antonio L. Leal-Rodríguez and Valentina De Marchi, published in the Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 432-452, did not fully attribute the following sources it has drawn upon: Ching‐Hsun Chang, Yu‐Shan Chen (2013), “Green organizational identity and green innovation”, Management Decision, Vol. 51 No. 5, pp. 1056-1070, https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-09-2011-0314, Antonio L. Leal-Rodríguez, José L. Roldán, “The moderating role of relational learning on the PACAP–RACAP link. A study in the Spanish automotive components manufacturing sector”, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redee.2013.07.002) and Antonio Leal-Millan, Marta Peris-Ortiz, Antonio L. Leal-Rodríguez, “Sustainability in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Policies and Practices for a World with Finite Resources”, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57318-2. The authors are sorry for this and would like to take this opportunity to inform readers that the research within this article utilises data, and data sets, stemming from previous research conducted by some of the authors.
Citation
Albort-Morant, G., Leal-Rodríguez, A.L. and De Marchi, V. (2018), "Absorptive capacity and relationship learning mechanisms as complementary drivers of green innovation performance", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 432-452. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-07-2017-0310
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