Analysis of the Absorptive Capacity of Business Areas of a Multinational Company in its Interactions with Startups (Revista de Economia do Centro-Oeste)

Summary

• The case study covers a Brazilian subsidiary of a multinational company that operates in approximately 50 countries and has continuous programs to engage and finance startups.p.9
• The questionnaire had 23 questions divided into 7 sections, mapped to the dimensions of absorptive capacity.p.12
• Three internal areas were selected for the study: Area A, Area C and Area D.p.19
• In Area C, 2 of the 5 people involved in partnerships have been at the company for more than 4 years.p.21
• Area D has an intermediate absorptive capacity and only 2 years of existence.p.22

Key insights

1. Area C showed the most mapped innovation processes and the greatest autonomy in selecting partners and technological problems.p.21
2. Area A is the area that has worked with innovation for the shortest time among the areas investigated.p.20
3. Area D depends heavily on top leadership to trigger partnerships with startups and to decide which solutions are applied commercially.p.22
4. Development of absorptive capacity has been heterogeneous across the company's areas, resulting in different maturity levels.p.24
5. Area C still faces difficulties in the transition from assimilating knowledge to applying the solution at scale.p.21