Dynamic Capabilities: What Are They and How to Identify Them?

Abstract

The phenomenon of dynamic capabilities in organizations is of great interest to researchers in various fields of knowledge in the area of administration, including strategic management, entrepreneurship, marketing, human resource management, operations management, and even information systems. Since Teece, Pisano and Shuen's (1997) original proposal, several theorists have made efforts at developing the dynamic capabilities concept. However, analysis of these efforts shows that there is a myriad of definitions, some quite similar, and there is definite controversy about the conditioning elements and components of dynamic capabilities. Note that the evolution of understanding of what is dynamic capability is associated with two main aspects: components and mechanisms by which a company develops dynamic capabilities. This article proposes an integrative model of the various definitions given by the authors surveyed, in which the determinants of the existence of dynamic capabilities include the set of behaviors, skills, routines, processes and governance mechanisms of learning and knowledge focused on change and innovation. These elements are developed along an organizational trajectory, through a cumulative process of knowledge and learning.

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