Path-Dependence or Managerial Agency:A Meta-Analysis of Relative Influence on Absorptive Capacity

Taking stock of three decades of absorptive capacity (AC) research, we synthesize research on the development of this construct. We identify path- dependencies and managerial agency as two strands of research in this context. The first class of antecedents emphasizes a deterministic approach towards AC development, including experiential attributes, inter- organizational antecedents, and organizational practices. Managerial capabilities, in...