Absorptive capacity and radical innovation in industrial districts

Francesc Xavier Molina Morales, Valentina De Marchi, Luis Martínez-Cháfer

Research output: Indexed journal article Articlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to adopt the absorptive capacity (ACAP) framework to understand radical innovation in industrial districts (IDs), adopting a multi-level perspective. By performing a longitudinal case study on an ID that has successfully introduced a radical innovation–the plastic ski boot innovation developed within the Montebelluna Sportsystem district in Italy–the paper highlights how key elements of the ACAP framework (i.e. its components, antecedents, and contingent factors) allow understanding wherein IDs might indeed successfully introduce radical innovations, and what are the specificities as respect as considering a single organisation as unit of analysis. Important policy implications arise, regarding how to support IDs competitiveness and resilience thanks to radical innovation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1088-1100
Number of pages13
JournalTechnology Analysis and Strategic Management
Volume33
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • absorptive capacity
  • cluster
  • Industrial district
  • radical innovation
  • technological adaptation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Absorptive capacity and radical innovation in industrial districts'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this