Title: The role of ontological learning levels in developing dynamic capabilities

Authors: Victor Oltra; Salvador Vivas-López; Marta Peris-Ortiz

Addresses: Department of Business Management, Universitat de València, 46022, Spain ' Department of Business Management, Universitat de València, 46022, Spain ' Department Business Organization, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022, Spain

Abstract: This paper explores the links between the fields of dynamic capabilities and organisational learning (OL), emphasising the role of the different ontological learning levels. The resource-based view (RBV) is pinpointed as the key origin of the dynamic capabilities view (DCV), in connection with OL and knowledge management. Ontological learning levels are identified as key OL stages. The knowledge-based view (KBV) of the firm is introduced as a key link between OL processes and dynamic capabilities development. Specifically, we propose a novel and integrative framework for understanding the role that the RBV, the DCV, OL, and the KBV, have, in an inter-connected way, have played in achieving a progressively deeper understanding of the key internal sources of competitive advantage. Accordingly, our paper opens interesting opportunities for future inquiry, e.g., studying how different ontological learning levels may distinctively influence the development of particular types of dynamic capabilities (e.g., in design, marketing, etc.).

Keywords: dynamic capabilities; KBV; knowledge-based view; knowledge management; ontological learning levels; organisational learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLC.2018.093193

International Journal of Learning and Change, 2018 Vol.10 No.3, pp.242 - 258

Received: 28 Feb 2017
Accepted: 01 Nov 2017
Published online: 13 Jul 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article