The Organizational Drivetrain: A Road to Integration of Dynamic Capabilities Research

Academy of Management Perspectives, November 2014, 28: 307-327

21 Pages Posted: 20 Feb 2014 Last revised: 12 May 2015

See all articles by Giada Di Stefano

Giada Di Stefano

Bocconi University - Department of Management and Technology

Margaret A. Peteraf

Dartmouth College - Tuck School of Business

Gianmario Verona

Bocconi University - Department of Management and Technology; SDA Bocconi

Date Written: February 19, 2014

Abstract

Although the research domain of dynamic capabilities has become one of the most active in strategic management, critics have charged that it is plagued by confusion around the construct itself. In this paper, we uncover a potential reason for this confusion embedded in the unique nature of the construct's development path – a peculiarity that has led to split understandings of what constitutes a dynamic capability. We suggest a solution to this problem in the form of an illustrative metaphor – what we call the “organizational drivetrain”. Our drivetrain represents a theoretical model aimed at combining different views of the definition of dynamic capabilities by explaining how routines and simple rules interact. This shows that it is possible to advance the development of the framework by combining divergent understandings into a coherent whole. We conclude by offering specific recommendations for how to achieve a greater unity of understanding, and move the field even further forward.

Keywords: dynamic capabilities, bibliometrics, development path, resource-based, organizational drivetrain, dynamic bundles

Suggested Citation

Di Stefano, Giada and Peteraf, Margaret A. and Verona, Gianmario, The Organizational Drivetrain: A Road to Integration of Dynamic Capabilities Research (February 19, 2014). Academy of Management Perspectives, November 2014, 28: 307-327, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2398327

Giada Di Stefano (Contact Author)

Bocconi University - Department of Management and Technology ( email )

Via Roentgen 1
Milan, MI 20136
Italy

HOME PAGE: http://faculty.unibocconi.eu/giadadistefano/

Margaret A. Peteraf

Dartmouth College - Tuck School of Business ( email )

100 Tuck Hall
Hanover, NH 03755
United States
603-646-1944 (Phone)
603-646-0995 (Fax)

Gianmario Verona

Bocconi University - Department of Management and Technology ( email )

Via Roentgen 1
Milan, MI 20136
Italy

SDA Bocconi ( email )

Via Bocconi 8
Milan, Milan 20136
Italy

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