Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2017-10-04T14:28:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Adelice Minetto Sznitowski_.pdf: 1981660 bytes, checksum: fa747ce2916de05cdf8b1d6687cb9a87 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-04T14:28:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Adelice Minetto Sznitowski_.pdf: 1981660 bytes, checksum: fa747ce2916de05cdf8b1d6687cb9a87 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-12 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O agronegócio no Brasil é um setor representativo e seu destaque deriva das inovações que são geradas ao longo de toda a sua cadeia produtiva e da capacidade dos produtores rurais incorporarem o conhecimento externo. Assim, esse estudo indagou se o construto de Capacidade Absortiva (CA) explica a dinâmica dos processos de inovação na produção de soja no Brasil. A lente teórica utilizada à compreensão desse contexto veio do construto de CA e diz respeito à identificação, assimilação e exploração do conhecimento presente no ambiente externo porque, como tal, interfere de forma direta na competência de uma organização no que tange à geração de valor, uma vez que recombina recursos a fim de incorporar os conhecimentos necessários. A CA contribui para o desempenho organizacional e à sua capacidade de inovação, a qual foi determinante no contexto agrícola para aumentar a sua eficiência e colocar o Brasil em uma posição de destaque, em termos de produtividade, principalmente na produção de soja. Como os processos de inovação não acontecem de forma isolada, os objetivos aqui propostos tiveram a função de contribuir na caracterização do ambiente relacional dos sojicultores a partir do desenho da referida cadeia produtiva e, nela, a identificação dos agentes considerados fontes de conhecimentos/tecnologias necessários ao processo produtivo do grão. A produção de soja requer o uso de modernas tecnologias, o que implica constante atualização por parte dos produtores, daí a importância de examinar a dinâmica que envolve a CA nesses locais. Ainda foram acompanhados eventos como palestras e dias de trabalho em campo, realizados no período que corresponde ao plantio a colheita da soja para complementar o entendimento sobre as fontes de conhecimentos/tecnologias e sua a difusão nesse ambiente. Posteriormente, foi realizado estudo multi casos junto a três unidades produtoras de soja no Estado de Mato Grosso que praticam diferentes sistemas de cultivos, sendo entrevistados seus proprietários via roteiro semiestruturado para a coleta de dados qualitativos sobre o processo da CA. Nesse sentido, as evidências sugerem que as Unidades de Produção desenvolvem a CA, possibilitando se manterem na atividade há longa data, bem como introduzirem inovações baseadas em modernas tecnologias (unidade de produção A) e adoção de sistemas de produção mais complexos que permitiram maior produtividade e lucratividade (unidades de produção B e C). / In Brazil, the agribusiness is a major industry, and such position results from the innovations generated throughout its productive chain and from the capacity of the rural producers to in-corporate external knowledge. Thus, this study asks if the construct of Absorptive Capacity (AC) explains the dynamics behind the innovation process for the production of soy in Brazil. The theoretical point of view used for the understanding of this context came from the con-struct of AC and has to do with the identification, assimilation and exploitation of the knowledge present in the external environment because, as such, it interferes directly in the competence of an organization in terms of generation of value, once it recombines resources to incorporate the necessary knowledge. The AC contributes for the organizational performance and to the capacity of innovation, which was crucial in the agricultural context for the increase of its efficiency and to place Brazil in a highlighted position in terms of productivity, mainly in the soy production context. Since innovation processes do not happen isolatedly, the objec-tives suggested here aimed to contribute to the characterization of the relational environment of soybean farmers based on the design of the referred productive chain and, in it the identifi-cation of the agents considered sources of knowledge/technologies necessary to the produc-tive process of the grain. Modern technologies are needed for the production of soybean, which demands a constant update from the producers. That is why it is important to examine the dynamics involved in AC in these places. Events such as lectures and field work during soybean planting and harvesting were also attended to complement the understanding of the sources of knowledge/technologies and their dissemination in this environment. Later, a mul-tiple case study was made in the three soybean production units in Mato Grosso state. These units have different cultivation systems. Their owners were interviewed with a semi-structured script for the collection of qualitative data about the AC process. In this way, evi-dences suggest that the Production Units develop the AC, enabling them to keep working since long ago, and also to introduce innovation based on modern technologies (production unit A) and the adoption of more elaborated production systems which would allow greater productivity and profitability (production units B and C).

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2015-07-06T13:02:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 José Jerônimo de Menezes Lima.pdf: 1888440 bytes, checksum: aa54ca9f171e17e14a874a7eabfe31b7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-06T13:02:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 José Jerônimo de Menezes Lima.pdf: 1888440 bytes, checksum: aa54ca9f171e17e14a874a7eabfe31b7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-22 / Nenhuma / O objeto de estudo desta tese é a análise dos efeitos de Comunidades de Prática (CoPs) na Capacidade Absortiva (CA) em Empresas Intensivas em Conhecimento (EICs). Esta pesquisa se situa no campo de estudos de comportamento organizacional e trata dos temas da Gestão do Conhecimento (GC) e Aprendizagem Organizacional (AO). Nessa direção, a principal contribuição desta tese é de natureza teórica e visa analisar os fatores de funcionamento dos processos de CoPs que podem contribuir para a CA em EICs avaliando a real contribuição desses fatores, visando orientar a criação e operacionalização de CoPs eficazes nessas empresas. A tese tem por pressuposto que EICs têm processos essencialmente baseados na GC; AO é fundamental para a eficácia da GC em EICs, uma vez que viabiliza o compartilhamento e a assimilação do conhecimento para a inovação e a solução de problemas; CoPs, no contexto de EICs, ao agregarem conhecimentos, pessoas, processos e tecnologias, facilitam a AO; e, ao facilitar a AO, CoPs contribuem para a CA em EICs. A partir dessas premissas, esta tese responder à seguinte questão de pesquisa: Quais são os efeitos de comunidades de prática na capacidade absortiva em empresas intensivas em conhecimento? Nessa direção, foram estabelecidas as seguintes hipóteses: CoPs são mecanismos que facilitam a dimensão Aquisição do processo da Capacidade Absortiva Potencial (CAp) em EICs (H1), CoPs são mecanismos que facilitam a dimensão Assimilação do processo da CAp em EICs (H2); CoPs são mecanismos que facilitam a dimensão Transformação do processo de Capacidade Absortiva Realizada (CAr) em EICs (H3), CoPs são mecanismos que facilitam a dimensão Aplicação do processo de CAr em EICs (H4) e CoPs são mecanismos que facilitam a CAr por decorrência da CAp em EICs (H5). Este estudo utilizou métodos de pesquisa online e partiu de uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória baseada em netnografia, em seguida realizou pesquisa quantitativa baseada em survey e, finalmente, foi realizada pesquisa qualitativa confirmatória com gestores de CoPs e de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (P&D) das EICs estudadas. Foram pesquisadas 10 EICs, abrangendo 90 CoPs e 9.998 participantes. A pesquisa coletou 1.104 respostas. Um modelo teórico foi desenvolvido e testado por Modelagem de Equações Estruturais (MEE) para validar as hipóteses formuladas. Especificamente analisando os efeitos de CoPs na CA em EICs, a pesquisa confirma que CoPs são mecanismos eficazes de CAp, maximizando as atividades de aquisição e assimilação de conhecimentos externos e assim contribuindo diretamente para a CAp (H1 e H2). Por outro lado, não confirma que CoPs são mecanismos eficazes de CAr, e que as atividades de transformação e aplicação de conhecimentos externos pouco ou nem sempre contribuem diretamente para a inovação (H3 e H4). Ainda, a pesquisa confirma a ideia de que CoPs são mecanismos que, ao contribuírem de modo eficaz diretamente para a CAp, colaboram indiretamente para a eficácia da CAr (H5). Espera-se que esta tese tenha trazido mais luz à discussão sobre a possibilidade de que CoPs sejam considerados espaços privilegiados de aprendizagem organizacional e de articulação de saberes para melhorar CA e gerar inovação em EICs. / The object of study of this dissertation is the analysis of the effects of Communities of Practice (CoPs) on the Absorptive Capacity (AC) in Intensive Knowledge Companies (IKCs). This research lies within the field of organizational behavior studies related to Knowledge Management (KM) and Organizational Learning (OL). In this direction, the main contribution of this thesis is theoretical in nature and aims at analyzing the dynamic factors of CoPs processes that can be contributory to AC in IKCs evaluating the real contribution of these factors aiming at guiding creation and implementation of more effective CoPs in this type of company. This thesis, on principle, begins according to the following assumptions: that IKCs have essentially processes based on KM; OL is key to the effectiveness of KM in IKCs, as it enables the sharing and assimilation of knowledge for innovation and problem solving in groups; as CoPs, in the context of IKCs, aggregate knowledge, people, processes and technologies, they provide grounds to OL; and as doing so, they contribute to AC in IKCs. From these premises, this thesis searched to answer the following research question: what are the effects of CoPs in the AC in IKCs? In this direction, the following hypotheses were established: CoPs are mechanisms that facilitate the acquisition process of Potential Absorptive Capacity Process (PAC) in IKCs (H1); CoPs are mechanisms that enable the assimilation process of the PAC in IKCs (H2); CoPs are mechanisms that facilitate the transformation process of Accomplished Absorptive Capacity (AAC) in IKCs (H3); CoPs are mechanisms that facilitate the application process of the AAC in IKCs (H4); and CoPs are mechanisms that pave the way to the AAC by a result of PAC in IKCs (H5). This study used methods of online survey and came from an exploratory qualitative research based on netnography, then it conducted a quantitative survey-based research, and finally a qualitative research to confirm or disprove it with moderators and administrators of CoPs and managers of R&D of the IKCs. Ten IKCs were surveyed, covering 90 CoPs, 9,998 participants. The survey had an amount of 1,104 responses. A theoretical model was developed and tested by structural equation modeling to validate the hypotheses formulated research. Analyzing specifically the effects of CoPs in AC on IKCs, it can point out that the research confirms the idea that CoPs are effective mechanisms for PAC, maximizing the acquisition and assimilation activities of external knowledge and thus contributing directly to PAC (H1 and H2). On the other hand, this research does not confirm the idea that CoPs are effective mechanisms of AAC, and that the transformation and application activities of external knowledge little or hardly ever directly contribute to innovation (H3 and H4). Still, research confirms the idea that CoPs are mechanisms which, at the same time, contribute effectively straightforward to PAC, and collaborate indirectly to the effectiveness of the AAC (H5).

As empresas podem responder por mudanças significativas em prol da sustentabilidade por meio de inovações, através do desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias, serviços ou produtos que se destinam a reduzir os problemas ambientais e climáticos - nomeadamente inovações verdes. Estas são conduzidas por recursos internos, bem como forças institucionais e algumas capacidades organizacionais, tais como a capacidade de absorção, podem ser relevantes em melhorar o desempenho em inovações verdes. Portanto, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar empiricamente a relação entre as forças institucionais e capacidades internas na condução de inovações verdes no setor de energia elétrica brasileiro. A técnica de equações estruturais (PLS) foi aplicada aos dados coletados por meio de uma survey realizada entre dezembro de 2015 e maio de 2016. A validade do modelo estrutural foi assegurada através de vários testes e os resultados permitiram concluir que os condutores internos são positivamente relacionados com as forças institucionais e a capacidade de absorção. Ainda, estes mediam a relação entre estes construtos. Além disso, os condutores internos estão positivamente relacionados com o desempenho da inovação verde em produtos e processos. Portanto, o estudo tem várias implicações teóricas para área de gestão, especialmente em capacidades dinâmicas, VBR e teoria da inovação verde. Além disso, as implicações políticas do estudo estão relacionadas com a composição de políticas de um país, a fim de desenvolver regulamentações ambientais que favoreçam a inovação. / Green innovations can be an answer that companies develop as ways to mitigate climate change. These are driven by internal resources as well as institutional forces, and some organizational capabilities such as absorptive capacity can be relevant in spurring green innovations performance. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing empirically the relationship among institutional forces and internal capabilities in driving green innovations in the Brazilian electricity power sector. Partial Least Square Structural Modelling Equation was applied to the data collected through the survey conducted between December 2015 and May 2016. The structural model validity was validated through several tests and the results have indicated that Internal Drivers are positively related to the Institutional Forces and Absorptive Capacity, and mediate the relationship among those constructs. Also, the Internal Drivers are positively related with Green Innovation Performance in products and processes. Therefore, the study has several theoretical implications for management area, especially on dynamic capabilities, RBV and green innovation theory. Also, policy implications of the study are related to the composition of a country\'s policy mix in order to develop environmental regulations which favour innovation.

Diversos estudos exploram temas relacionados ao monitoramento do ambiente com o intuito de auxiliar empresas a se protegerem contra ameaças e a aproveitarem oportunidades provenientes do ambiente externo. Outros pesquisadores se dedicaram aos tópicos relacionados à gestão do conhecimento, colocando o conhecimento como elemento central para o desenvolvimento e o sucesso empresarial. Contudo, identificaram-se poucos estudos que explorem as temáticas de monitoramento do ambiente e gestão do conhecimento em conjunto. Com o propósito de contribuir para o preenchimento desta lacuna, o presente estudo investiga o desenvolvimento da capacidade absortiva em processos de exploração de sinais fracos, sob a perspectiva da criação do conhecimento organizacional. Para tal investigação se utilizou método qualitativo e exploratório; tendo como técnicas de coleta de dados entrevistas semiestruturadas e análise de conteúdo para exploração dos mesmos. Constatou-se que o desempenho do processo de Inteligência pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento da capacidade absortiva, além de propiciar a criação, expansão e renovação de conhecimentos individuais e organizacionais. Observou-se, também, que a realização das atividades de Inteligência incentiva a ação e influencia na tomada de decisão de colaboradores e gestores. Os profissionais ao se sentirem melhor informados sobre oportunidades e ameaças provenientes do ambiente externo à organização passam a refletir e se responsabilizar mais por ações e decisões. / Many studies explore topics related to the environmental scanning process in order to assist companies with protecting themselves against threats and seizing opportunities that arise from external environments. Furthermore, a number of researchers have focused broadly and deeply on topics related to knowledge management, placing knowledge as a central resource to a business’s development and success. Nevertheless, there are few studies that combine the themes of environmental scanning and knowledge management. Aiming contribute to fill this gap, this study investigates the absorptive capacity developing in weak signals’ exploration process through the organization knowledge creation’ perspectives. The employed method to this qualitative and explorative research will be interviews by means of techniques for collecting data; and a content analysis for an exploitation of these data. It was found that the Intelligence process performance contributes to the development of absorptive capacity. Futhermore, the practice of Intelligence process facilitates the creation, expansion and renewal of individual and organizational knowledge. It was also observed that the realization of intelligence activities encourages action and influence in employees and managers decision making. Professionals who feel better informed about opportunities and threats from the external environment in regards to the organization start to further reflect and be more accountable for actions and decisions.

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-05-05T18:20:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Andréia Cunha da Rosa.pdf: 9303233 bytes, checksum: 2bfd02a2657b04794c759e9692f60724 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-05T18:20:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Andréia Cunha da Rosa.pdf: 9303233 bytes, checksum: 2bfd02a2657b04794c759e9692f60724 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-30 / UNISINOS - Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos / A literatura acadêmica tem destacado importantes contribuições da interação universidade-empresa para o desempenho inovativo das firmas, regiões e países. Entretanto, a literatura aponta, também, alguns determinantes para que essa relação aconteça. Dentre estes determinantes, é apontada a capacidade absortiva das empresas, o que as possibilita adquirir, assimilar, transformar e comercializar os novos conhecimentos adquiridos a partir da relação com as universidades. Tendo em vista a necessidade de uma maior assimilação, distribuição e utilização dos conhecimentos externos relevantes para as empresas, o presente estudo procurou analisar quais são as características da capacidade absortiva das empresas que possuem interação com Universidades. Neste sentido, tal estudo buscou verificar as características e intensidade da capacidade absortiva de empresas que possuem interação com as áreas de Engenharia Mecânica e, de Engenharia de Materiais e Metalúrgica das Universidades gaúchas. Para atingir esse objetivo, foi desenvolvido uma estrutura com indicadores de mensuração da capacidade absortiva. Essa estrutura foi incluída no questionário aplicado em uma survey com empresas inseridas na base do diretório de grupos de pesquisa do CNPq, referente ao censo de 2010, que indicavam algum tipo de interação com as referidas áreas. Para a análise dos resultados foram utilizados métodos estatísticos, tais como, análise de clusters, a fim de agrupar as empresas de acordo com a semelhança do grau de capacidade absortiva. Os principais resultados referem-se à importância da capacidade absortiva para o alcance dos objetivos estabelecidos na interação universidade-empresa, bem como para o seu desempenho inovativo. / The academic literature has highlighted important contributions of university-industry interaction for the innovative performance of firms, regions and countries. However, the literature also points to a number of determinants that relationship happen. Among these determinants, is pointed absorptive capacity of companies, that enables acquire, assimilate, transform and commercialize new knowledge gained from the relationship with universities. Given the need for greater assimilation, distribution and use of external knowledge relevant to business, this study sought to examine what are the characteristics of the absorptive capacity of firms that have interaction with universities. In this sense, this study analyzes characteristics and intensity of the absorptive capacity of firms that have interaction with the Engineering and Mechanics of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering University of Rio Grande do Sul. To achieve this goal, we developed a framework with indicators to measure the absorptive capacity. This structure was included in the questionnaire in a survey of businesses located within the directory of research groups from CNPq, referring to the 2010 census, indicating some interaction with those areas. For the analysis of the results were used statistical methods such as cluster analysis to group firms according to the similarity degree of absorptive capacity. The main results refer to the importance of absorptive capacity to achieve the objectives established in the university-industry interaction, as well as for its innovative performance.

Small business enterprises (SBEs) are significant contributors to business growth and employment in the United States, but despite governmental support, the failure rate of SBEs is high. Some small business leaders lack the critical management skills to detect or discover when underperformance in revenue-generation is due to gaps in organizational knowledge or business practices associated with managing knowledge assets. Guided by the knowledge-based view of the firm, the purpose of this multiple case study was to address that gap by exploring the skills needed by leaders to understand how deficiencies in their knowledge management practices contribute to underperformance. Semistructured interview data were collected from a sample of 10 small business leaders in the northeast and west. Data from publicly available documentation consisting of sales brochures, press releases, and participant company websites were also collected. Data analysis entailed using keyword frequency comparisons, coding techniques, and cluster analysis. The key themes indicate that the participants' document management practices and misaligned core business practices impeded value creation. The recommended change in business practices for small business leaders is to formalize social engagement with customers, use document management tools, and adopt process management techniques. The implications for social change include mitigating the harmful effects of business failure on society associated with job loss, stress-related disabilities, and reduced charitable donations to groups serving disadvantaged citizens. The beneficiaries of this research include small business leaders, business practitioners, and policy makers.

Bakgrund: Användningen av teknikkonsulter inom svensk industri har ökat kraftigt under 2000-talet. Trots detta finns det en brist i forskningen gällande vilka anledningar som ligger bakom och vilka konsekvenser som kan följa av användningen av teknikkonsulter. Vidare finns det teoretiska indikationer på att teknikkonsulter inte är tillräckligt integrerade för att skapa den helhetsförståelse och vilja att kommunicera över avdelningsgränser som krävs i produktutvecklingen inom stora svenska industriföretag. Denna problematik har legat till grund för studiens syfte. Syfte: Studiens syfte är att utreda vilka motiv och behov som ligger bakom ett svenskt industriföretags nyttjande av extern kunskap i form av teknikkonsulter samt vilka konsekvenser som användningen av teknikkonsulter kan medföra för företagets tvärfunktionella arbete. Definitioner: Teknikkonsulter är olika typer av ingenjörer som hyrs ut företag för att arbeta tillsammans med de fastanställda inom framförallt produktutveckling. Genomförande: En fallstudie har utförts på två sektioner inom Scania R&D. Två representanter på chefsnivå inom varje sektion har intervjuats. Resultat: Studien har identifierat två motiv och fyra behov som är betydelsefulla för inhyrningen av teknikkonsulter i svenska industriföretag. De motiv som studien har funnit är rörlighet samt inflöde och utflöde av resurser. De fyra behov som har identifierats är; numerisk flexibilitet, snabb förstärkning samt kortsiktiga respektive långsiktiga resurser. Vidare visar studien att resultaten av tvärfunktionell produktutveckling inom stora svenska industriföretag påverkas negativt av en hög andel teknikkonsulter eftersom teknikkonsulter inte innehar en helhetsförståelse för företaget. / Background: The use of technical consultants in the Swedish industrial sector has increased heavily during the 21th century. In spite of this increase, there is a shortage of research regarding the reasons for, and which consequences that can follow from the use of technical consultants. Furthermore, there are theoretical indications that these consultants are not fully integrated to the degree that they can create an overall understanding and will to communicate across departments, which is necessary for the product development in big Swedish industrial enterprises. This problem is the basis for the aim of the study. Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate which motives and needs that lie behind the the use of external knowledge in the form of technical consultants in Swedish industrial enterprises and which consequences that the use of technical consultants can bring to the cross-functional work of companies. Completion: A case study has been conducted at two sections within Scania R&D. Two representatives on a managerial level from each section have been interviewed. Results: The study has identified two motives and four needs as significant for the use of technical consultants in Swedish industrial enterprises. The identified motives are mobility as well as inflow and outflow of resources. The four identified needs are; a numerical flexibility, rapid reinforcement as well as a short and long term resources. Furthermore, the study shows that the results of cross-functional product development within large Swedish industrial enterprises are negatively affected by a large share of technical consultants since they do not possess an overall understanding of the company. Key words: Technical consultant, cross-functional, contingent knowledge workers, flexible staffing arrangements, absorptive capacity.

Die individuelle Bereitschaft für organisationale Veränderungen stellt eine zentrale Determinante des innovationsförderlichen Führungsverhaltens sowie der Innovativität von Unternehmen dar. Die Dissertation fragte daher nach der Entstehung und Förderung der Innovationsbereitschaft von Führungskräften und untersuchte die darauf bezogene Wirkung der organisationalen Absorptionsfähigkeit. Innovationsbereitschaft wurde hierbei verstanden als das Erkennen und positive Bewerten eines Veränderungsbedarfes sowie einer Veränderbarkeit der unternehmensinternen Situation. Organisationale Absorptionsfähigkeit wurde definiert als dreidimensionales Konstrukt des Erkennens, Aufnehmens und Verwertens von neuem, unternehmensexternem Wissen. Das postulierte Wirkungsmodell wurde mit einer quantitativen Untersuchung an einer nach Größe und Branche für Deutschland repräsentativen Stichprobe von 668 kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen empirisch überprüft. Dabei zeigte sich, dass der Kontakt zu externem Wissen den wahrgenommenen Veränderungsbedarf erhöhte, während die systematische Verarbeitung und Weitergabe dieses Wissens die wahrgenommene Veränderbarkeit der Unternehmenssituation positiv beeinflussten. Bisherige Prozessinnovationen reduzierten den wahrgenommenen Veränderungsbedarf, während inkrementelle Prozess- und Strukturveränderungen des Unternehmens positiv auf die Einschätzung der Veränderbarkeit wirkten. Damit konnte der Einfluss der organisationalen Absorptionsfähigkeit auf die Innovationsbereitschaft von Führungskräften differenziert werden, forschungstheoretische und forschungsmethodische Implikationen sowie Empfehlungen für die Unternehmenspraxis wurden entsprechend abgeleitet.

Outsourcing has become a popular mode of developing information system (IS) in practice during the last two decades. Although efforts have been done about evaluating vendors¡¦ capabilities and product¡¦s quality so as to assure high success rate, empirical studies keep reporting that outsourcing is not as successful as expected. Therefore, research based on different perspectives is needed to provide other plausible answers. Draws on this issue, an emerging concept is adopted, called Service-Dominant Logic (S-D logic), which highlights the importance for clients to possess required capabilities in order to maximize the value co-created. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to comprehend and examine critical capabilities that an outsourcing client should possess, and hybrid research model, consisting both traditional and S-D logic was built to reflect our intention. Survey method was then used to test our hypotheses empirically. Data collected from 400 practitioners showed that client¡¦s capabilities have stronger impact on the outcomes variables than conventional variables, such as product quality and vendor¡¦s capabilities. This study contributes to literature by incorporating a new concept, S-D logic, into IS research and emphasizing the critical role of clients¡¦ capabilities.

External knowledge is an important knowledge source for organizations. No matter how good external knowledge is, however, the contribution of external knowledge for organization would decrease if organizations can¡¦t absorb the knowledge effectively. Unlike previous studies, this study applies the ¡¥communication chain¡¦ perspective to investigate the process of organization¡¦s acquisition and absorption of external knowledge. Consulting knowledge is chosen as the study subject of external knowledge. This study argues that consultant and internal lecturer constitute the communication chain of consulting knowledge. Consultants and internal lecturers¡¦ capability of knowledge training and the capability link of knowledge training between consultants and internal lecturers will affect the effectiveness of organization¡¦s absorption of consulting knowledge. This study used triangulation approach to collect empirical data about how organizations acquire quality management knowledge through knowledge trainings provided by quality management (QM) consultants in Taiwan. First, this study did in-depth interviews with 10 QM consultants and 13 QM internal lecturers to collect qualitative data. Based on the data analysis of in-depth interviews and related literature, a questionnaire was developed and used to survey QM consultants and internal lecturers. A total number of 282 valid questionnaires, 47 QM consultants and 235 QM internal lecturers, were finally used to do statistical analysis. We combined and compared the findings of in-depth interviews and statistical analysis to answer research questions of this study. The results showed that QM internal lecturers did ¡¥dual-knowledge learning¡¦ in the communication chain of consulting knowledge and the capability of knowledge training was a combination of various sub-capabilities. QM internal lecturers¡¦ capability of knowledge training, in general, was inferior to QM consultants¡¦ capability of knowledge training. The main reasons resulting in the capability gap could be induced into three dimensions, including lecturer, trainee, and organization. The communication chain perspective provides an innovative and dynamic view to study organization¡¦s acquisition and absorption of consulting knowledge. The findings of this study can make up theoretical or knowledge gaps existed in past studies of knowledge acquisition, absorptive capacity, organizational boundary spanner, consulting industry, and expert-novice study. In addition, the findings also provide some valuable management implications for organizations to absorb the consulting knowledge more effectively as well as for consultants or consulting firms to enhance the quality of their knowledge service.