The influence of knowledge management in the development of firm’s dynamic capabilities : the case of calafe and the development of the capabilities that allowed it to have competitive advantage

Abstract

The research problem involved in this Dissertation mainly aims to discuss and draw some conclusions about the influence of Knowledge Management in companies’ development of their own Dynamic Capabilities. The research question is: What is the role of Knowledge Management in the development of firms’ Dynamic Capabilities that generate their competitive advantage? The Dynamic Capabilities theory, as well as Knowledge Management, has gained a distinctive position in the strategic management field. Literature about both subjects has been evolving considerably so far. However, there are not many applications of such concepts to real examples, which turn them still somewhat vague and difficult for companies to apply consciously and methodologically. For each one of the subjects, it was developed a framework which allow having better understanding of their tangible application. The Micro-foundations of Dynamic Capabilities allow having a clearer perspective of how companies may prevent and react to change, aligning its resources in order to develop crucial capabilities. The SECI Model gives a pretty reasonable idea of how Knowledge may be created, developed and managed within companies. Nevertheless, literature has been having difficulties in further explore the application of both frameworks to real and tangible examples and facts. Choosing a Portuguese footwear producer, CALAFE, helped to meet the goal of this Dissertation. Through a combination of two models of two different subjects, it was possible not only to conclude about the influence of Knowledge Management in the development of Dynamic Capabilities, but also to apply the models to a concrete case, relating them.