Antecedents of dynamic capabilities: the role of entrepreneurial orientation and intellectual capital

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to contribute to our understanding of the antecedents of dynamic capabilities that are entrepreneurial in nature by exploring the interaction of entrepreneurial orientation and intellectual capital. Chapter 1 of this dissertation serves to introduce and synthesize major themes, objectives and contributions. In Chapter 2, I review the literature derived from the resource based view of the firm and dynamic capabilities. The first theoretical perspective is succinctly addressed to argue the importance of resources in the development of dynamic capabilities. The second one is thoroughly examined in order to summarize the purpose and usage of dynamic capabilities. Besides, a detailed categorization of dynamic capabilities antecedents considering different levels of analysis is presented. Chapter 3 has two parts. In the first part I focus on the dimensions of the constructs under study. The dimensions of intellectual capital are: human capital, social capital and organizational capital; meanwhile, the dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation are: innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking. In addition, integrative capabilities - a particular type of dynamic capabilities - are called so since they integrate the processes of perceiving and capitalizing an opportunity. In the second part, I develop the rationale for each hypothesis included in the conceptual framework. The first hypothesis argues a positive relationship between intellectual capital and integrative capabilities. Also, positive relationships are stated between human capital, social capital, organizational capital and integrative capabilities respectively. The last hypothesis refers to the moderating effect that entrepreneurial orientation has on the intellectual capital-integrative capabilities relationship. II In Chapter 4 I address methodological issues. This dissertation is framed under the quantitative paradigm and data for statistics are collected through surveys carried on in small, medium and large enterprises in Mexico and Ecuador. The final sample has 92 enterprises from Ecuador and 108 enterprises from Mexico. Furthermore, 80% of the total sample has two responses; one belongs to the CEO and the other one to a second level manager. Chapter 5 presents the empirical results using two approaches. The first approach relies on regressions using SPSS while the second approach relies on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using AMOS. Results using both statistical techniques are consistent and show robustness. All hypotheses, except the one that argues for a positive effect of human capital on integrative capabilities, are supported as predicted. Finally, this dissertation concludes with Chapter 6 that discusses the main findings, outlines implications for managers and policy makers, details some limitations of the study and provides some new avenues for future research.