Knowledge Absorptive Capacity and Sustainable/Circular Innovation: Moderating Effects of Technological Infrastructure and Firm Size in Ecuadorian Firms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/82ek3895Keywords:
Absorptive capacity; technological innovation; sustainable development; circular economy.Abstract
The transition towards sustainable economic models necessitates understanding how firms, particularly within emerging contexts, internalize knowledge to innovate. Given the scarcity of empirical evidence linking Absorptive Capacity (AC) with Sustainable Innovation (SI) and Circular Innovation (CI) in developing productive sectors, this study analyzed the role of AC in agroindustry and manufacturing organizations in Ecuador. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a robust sample of 385 organizations. Data were collected via a structured survey and analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results demonstrated that AC is a positive and significant predictor of both SI and CI . The exploitation and transformation (B=0.38,p<0.001) dimensions of knowledge emerged as the most influential drivers. Crucially, technological infrastructure was confirmed to positively moderate the AC → CI relationship , and firm size moderates the AC → SI relationship , amplifying the effect in larger enterprises. This research contributes to the theoretical body by positioning AC as a contingent dynamic capability for circularity within traditional sectors, and provides novel empirical evidence from an understudied Latin American context. It is concluded that the effectiveness of knowledge management for sustainability is contingent upon the parallel strengthening of technological infrastructure and structural capabilities, which bears direct implications for public policy and corporate innovation strategies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mg. Mauricio Rubén Franco Coello, MSc. Ricardo Rubén Mora Torosine, MSc. Mariana del Rocío Reyes Bermeo, MSc. Antonio Gonzalo Álava Murillo (Autor/a)
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