Microfoundations of dynamic capabilities: a systematic review and a multilevel framework
ISSN: 0025-1747
Article publication date: 2 May 2023
Issue publication date: 22 May 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Microfoundations have become an effective approach for capability scholars to explore the heterogeneity of organizational results. Since the early pioneering work of scholars such as Felin and Foss, the microfoundations of strategic organization had not been extensively studied until 2010. The theoretical and empirical literature associated with the microfoundations of dynamic capabilities has developed rapidly. However, the diversity and fragmentation of micro-elements lead to a lack of a relatively consistent understanding of microfoundations, the study purpose is to aggregate the associated scattered terminology into a cohesive discussion.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted on research papers published between 2000 and 2022 using a hybrid methodology that included bibliometric and content analysis.
Findings
The authors suggest that this line of research can be divided into three stages. The study further develop a framework delineating the main components and mechanism involved in the microfoundations of dynamic capabilities, which in turn help us distill research gaps and opportunities for future work.
Originality/value
The authors construct a framework that can serve as a coherent research platform for further knowledge development. In the framework, the authors highlight that the research of group constructs, culture and leadership, data-driven topics are valuable for our understanding of the microfoundations of dynamics capabilities.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: The study is funded by (1) the National Natural Science Foundation of China Key Program Project (Grant No: 72032008); (2) Provincial Research Center for digital innovation and industrial value chain upgrading of Zhejiang Gongshang University - a key research base for philosophy and social sciences in Zhejiang Province, P.R. China; (3) National Philosophy and Social Sciences Foundation of China; (4) Key Project of Zhejiang Cultural Research Project (Grant No: 22WH11-5Z); (5) National Natural Science Foundation of China Key Program Project (Grant No: 72232010); (6) National Natural Science Foundation of China Excellent Young Scholar Project (Grant No: 71922022), Strategic Leadership; (7) Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (Project No: LQ22G020007) and (8) Humanities and Social Sciences Project of the Ministry of Education of China (Project No: 22YJC630168).
Citation
Chen, Y., Liu, L., Li, W., Xie, Z. and Wei, C. (2023), "Microfoundations of dynamic capabilities: a systematic review and a multilevel framework", Management Decision, Vol. 61 No. 6, pp. 1717-1753. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-05-2022-0615
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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