Absorptive and Integrative Capabilities: Supporting the Entrepreneurship of High Involvement Exporters
Carlos M. Rodriguez Ph.D.

Abstract
This study examines the role of absorptive and integrative capabilities in the behavior of high involvement exporting firms and their impact on export performance. Data were collected from seventy-eight high involvement U.S. exporting manufacturing firms. Formative and reflective constructs were validated through MIMIC models using LISREL and the theoretical model was tested using PLS estimation methods. Results suggest that high involvement exporting firms require a blend of learning, manufacturing flexibility, and market expansion as absorptive capabilities. Innovation and entrepreneurship as integrative capabilities are necessary to transfer firms’ innovation output to the market. Export performance is supported on the complementarity of market expansion-adaptation, innovation, and entrepreneurship capabilities.

Full Text: PDF