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Drawing on the capability-based view, we provide new theoretical arguments related to innovation capabilities rather than realized innovation output in firms with family involvement. We focus on technology-based product innovation [...]

To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2009.00854.x Byline: Ulrich Lichtenthaler (1), Eckhard Lichtenthaler (2) Abstract: abstract We merge research into knowledge management, absorptive capacity, and dynamic capabilities to arrive at an integrative perspective, which considers knowledge exploration, retention, and exploitation inside and outside a firm's boundaries. By complementing the concept of absorptive capacity, we advance towards a capability-based framework for open innovation processes. We identify the following six 'knowledge capacities' as a firm's critical capabilities of managing internal and external knowledge in open innovation processes: inventive, absorptive, transformative, connective, innovative, and desorptive capacity. 'Knowledge management capacity' is a dynamic capability, which reconfigures and realigns the knowledge capacities. It refers to a firm's ability to successfully manage its knowledge base over time. The concept may be regarded as a framework for open innovation, as a complement to absorptive capacity, and as a move towards understanding dynamic capabilities for managing knowledge. On this basis, it contributes to explaining interfirm heterogeneity in knowledge and alliance strategies, organizational boundaries, and innovation performance. Author Affiliation: (1)WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management; (2)Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ) Article note: Ulrich Lichtenthaler, WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management, Technology and Innovation Management, Burgplatz 2, D-56179 Vallendar, Germany (lichtenthaler@whu.edu).