This paper contributes to the clarification of the connections between knowledge management and dynamic capabilities in the context of product development to see how they explain product development competences. Building on the knowledge management and dynamic capabilities literatures, the paper argues that the social side of knowledge management has a role to play as enabler of dynamic capabilities in the context of product development. Further, dynamic capabilities shape product development competences. Empirical evidence is provided by performing survey research with data collected from 80 product development projects developed in Spain. The paper includes conclusions, limitations and future research potentials for those with an interest in supporting dynamic capabilities.

How do firms grow? How do firms compete? An influential answer to these fundamental questions of business strategy lies in the concept of dynamic capabilities. David Teece provides a clear statement of his ideas, and a framework for managers wishing to assess their organization's strategy.

Managing Industrial Knowledge illuminates the complex processes at work in the creation and successful transfer of corporate knowledge. It is now generally recognized that the competitive advantages of firms depends on their ability to build, utilize and protect knowledge assets. In this volume many of the foremost international authors and pioneers of the study of knowledge in firms present their latest work and insights into organizational knowledge and innovation. In a world where markets, products, technologies, competitors, regulations, and even societies change rapidly, continuous innovation and the knowledge that produces innovation have become key. The chapters in this keynote volume shed new light on the contextual factors in knowledge creation, the links between knowledge and innovation in all aspects of business life and the processes by which these may be fostered or lost in organizations.

This book is available as Book on Demand. Over the past decade, many companies in the semiconductor and aerospace industries have significantly upgraded their new product development processes, with disciplined timelines, strict design reviews, 'gates' to decision making and cross-functional collaboration. Some companies are outperforming their industry peers in terms of time-to-market and meeting customer needs. This raises the question of how companies can achieve and sustain performance based on the new product development function. To answer this question the present book analyzes the new product development process with a focus on the underlying dynamic capabilities, how such routines evolve on different organizational levels, and what are the associated social phenomena. Comparative case study evidence suggests that higher order resource reconfiguration and integration routines are established idiosyncratically. It is argued that simple, perception-based and loosely-coupled routines seem to be more effective for reconfiguring responsibilities and task sequences. On the other hand, detailed, codified and rigid higher-order routines were found more effective for integrating personnel, outsourced services and new technology.

Creating, adapting to, and exploiting change is inherently entrepreneurial. To survive and prosper under conditions of change, firms must develop the “dynamic capabilities” to create, extend, and modify the ways in which they operate. The capacity of an organization to create, extend, or modify its resource base is vital. Since the concept of dynamic capabilities was first introduced, much research has elaborated the initial idea. This important book by Constance Helfat and her team of leading scholars provides a timely focus on in-depth examples of corporate dynamic capabilities. Examining these in the different contexts of alliances, acquisitions, and management, the book gives students and researchers a succinct, up-to-date definition of dynamic capabilities and the strategic management theories around them.