Moderation of Strategic Alliance in the Relationship between Absorptive Capacity and Innovation

Abstract

Purpose: to analyze the strategic alliance moderation in the relationship between absorptive capacity and innovation. Originality/value: to address unanswered questions about the dynamic between absorptive capacity and innovation with the moderation of strategic alliances to clarify about the influence of absorptive capacity on technology and management innovation for Brazilian publicly traded companies. Design/Methodology/Approach: the study involved a quantitative survey in a cross-sectional approach. Data collection considered Brazilian publicly traded companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2015, with a final sample of 107 companies. The analysis considered the variables of absorptive capacity acquisition, assimilation, transformation and application; technological innovation: costs, research and development and processes; innovation in management: organizational, structure and marketing; and capacity of strategic alliance: processes of management, information and decision-making. The multiple linear regression analysis method, with moderating effect on the independent variables, changing the strength and / or direction of a relation between two constructs in the model. Findings: positive relations were found between absorptive capacity and innovation, when moderated by the strategic alliance and the international alliance. The results show that the strategic alliance and the international alliance can be moderating and influencing the relationship between absorptive capacity and innovation in companies.