Antecedents and consequences of individual absorptive capacity in times of crisis

Abstract

Purpose: This article examines the relationship between individuals’ characteristics (motivation and cognition), individual absorptive capacity, and individual innovative performance in times of crisis. Originality/value: The study contributes to emerging academic thinking on the micro-foundations of dynamic capabilities, self-determination theory as an antecedent factor, and individual innovative performance as a consequence factor of individual absorptive capacity. Regarding practical contributions, managers and entrepreneurs should invest in training in times of crisis, aiming to develop individual practices and skills to promote organizations’ innovative capacity. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected through a questionnaire (survey). There were 320 respondents. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was applied to validate the constructs’ items using PLS-SEM to test the hypotheses using the Smart-PLS2.0 software. Findings: The results demonstrated that the dissociative cognitive style was the most significant predictor of individual absorptive capacity in times of crisis. It was also found that the level of extrinsic motivation had no effect when analyzed concerning the level of individual absorptive capacity in times of crisis. Finally, the findings showed a positive relationship between individual absorptive capacity and individual innovative performance. However, the times of crisis variable did not exert a moderating effect on this relationship.