A Theoretical Model of Commercialization of Innovations: Integrating Networks, Absorptive Capacity and Ambidexterity

Abstract

From a thorough review of literature we investigate the key antecedents and mediators to commercialization of innovations. We posit that a firm’s absorptive capacity and ambidexterity (ability to explore and exploit) affect its ability to commercialize innovations. Further, the antecedents to absorptive capacity and ambidexterity can be found in networks within and between firms. We believe that such networks can help directly explain the variance in the ability to commercialize innovations. Further absorptive capacity too can be an antecedent to ambidexterity. We tie these concepts together and posit a theoretical model for further research.

Keywords: Commercialization of Innovations, Absorptive Capacity, Potential Absorptive Capacity, Realized Absorptive Capacity, Ambidexterity, Social Networks, Exploration, Exploitation, External networks, Internal networks, and Innovation Engines