Absorptive Capacity: A Proposed Framework for Strengthening the Business Case for Diversity

摘要

Cohen and Levinthal (1990) conceptualize "absorptive capacity" as a limit to the quantity of scientific or technological information that a firm can absorb or the rate at which this information can be absorbed. They define it as a firm's ability to recognize the value of new external information, assimilate that information, and apply it to create new products for existing or new markets. Central to their concept of absorptive capacity is investment in research and development (R&D). They rationalize that the more a firm invests in R&D the more it will be able to fully appreciate the value of new information. And the more the value of new information is appreciated, the easier it is to assimilate and apply it to the development of new products.