Title: Determinants of Organisational Learning in the generation of technological distinctive competencies

Authors: Juan C. Real, Antonio Leal, Jose L. Roldan

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera, Km. 1, Seville 41013, Spain. ' Department of Business Management and Marketing, University of Seville, Avda. Ramon y Cajal, 1, Seville 41018, Spain. ' Department of Business Management and Marketing, University of Seville, Avda. Ramon y Cajal, 1, Seville 41018, Spain

Abstract: This paper presents an analysis of the influence of Organisational Learning (OL), as a process of knowledge creation, in the development of Technological Distinctive Competencies (TDCs). We also examine how the existence of certain organisational key variables in the OL process, not treated jointly from this perspective, positively affects OL and influences the generation of TDCs. The hypotheses proposed in this respect are tested on a sample of 140 Spanish industrial companies, applying a structural linear equation model according to the Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach. Our findings indicate that factors such as Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) of the organisation, its Learning Orientation (LO) and Information Technology (IT) have a positive impact on OL; whereas, the technological distinctive competences are the result of the OL. On the other hand, the EO of the organisation and the IT play an important role in the creation process of TDCs.

Keywords: organisational learning; knowledge creation; entrepreneurial orientation; learning orientation; information technology; technological distinctive competencies; TDCs; dynamic capability; partial least squares; PLS; Spain; knowledge management; innovation; entrepreneurship.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2006.009239

International Journal of Technology Management, 2006 Vol.35 No.1/2/3/4, pp.284 - 307

Published online: 13 Mar 2006 *

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