Business Continuity Innovation in Disruption Time: Sociotechnical Systems, Business Analytics, Virtual Business, and Mediating Role of Knowledge Absorptive Capacity
Srishti Agarwal
Vol. 10, Issue 1, Jan-Dec 2024
Page Number: 79 - 85
Abstract:
Disruptions—from pandemics and cyber incidents to supply-chain shocks—are now routine rather than rare. This paper integrates four streams to explain business continuity innovation (BCI): (1) sociotechnical systems (STS), (2) business analytics capabilities (BA/BDAC), (3) virtual business models and digitalization, and (4) the mediating role of knowledge absorptive capacity (ACAP). We synthesize recent evidence (2013–2023) to argue that continuity is not merely operational recovery but adaptive renewal: organizations that jointly optimize people–process–technology (STS), sense and decide with BA, virtualize core interactions, and deliberately build ACAP convert shocks into learning, new offerings, and productivity gains. We develop a testable conceptual model with propositions (H1–H6), offer a comparative analysis across disruption types, and provide a 90-day managerial playbook. The paper closes with a research agenda detailing measures and designs to empirically evaluate the framework.
References
- Alwan, S. Y., Al-Hattami, H. M., & Akram, U. (2023). Sustainable and resilient e-commerce under COVID-19: A meta-theoretical analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30, 58871–58888. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-25456-0
- Bürgel, T. R., Hiebl, M. R. W., & Pielsticker, D. I. (2023). Digitalization and entrepreneurial firms’ resilience to pandemic crises: Evidence from COVID-19 and the German Mittelstand. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 186, 122135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122135
- Dunn Cavelty, M. (2013). From “securitization†to “cyber-security governanceâ€: A sociotechnical approach. In J. K.-H. Schmidt & A. Keller (Eds.), Informatik-Spektrum (pp. 91–101). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36883-1_4
- Gibbs, M., Mengel, F., & Siemroth, C. (2023). Work from home and productivity: Evidence from personnel and analytics data. Journal of Political Economy Microeconomics, 1(1), 71–110. https://doi.org/10.1086/721803
- Guo, J., Wang, J., & Zhao, Z. (2023). E-commerce and supply chain resilience during COVID-19. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 74(2), 465–490. https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-9552.12518
- Gupta, M., & George, J. F. (2016). Toward the development of a big data analytics capability. Information & Management, 53(8), 1049–1064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2016.07.004
- Khan, A., & Tao, J. (2022). Knowledge absorption capacity’s efficacy to enhance agility and innovation performance: The mediating role of cost leadership strategy. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 7(4), 100201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2022.100201
- Mikalef, P., Boura, M., Lekakos, G., & Krogstie, J. (2021). Building dynamic capabilities by leveraging big data analytics: An empirical investigation. Information & Management, 58(6), 103412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2020.103412
- Mikalef, P., Krogstie, J., Pappas, I. O., & Pavlou, P. A. (2020). Exploring the relationship between big data analytics capability and competitive performance: The mediating roles of dynamic and operational capabilities. Information & Management, 57(8), 103387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2019.05.004
- Radic, M., Herrmann, P., Haberland, P. H., & Riese, C. R. (2022). Development of a business model resilience framework for managers and strategic decision-makers. Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, 74(4), 543–574. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41471-022-00135-x
- Said, O., Albagory, Y., Helmy, Y., & El-Shafei, M. (2019). Social cyber-physical resilience (SCPR): A new perspective for enabling next-generation resilience. SAGE Open, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/1847979019827151
- Sancho-Zamora, R., Arroyo-Carrion, J., MartÃnez-MartÃnez, A., & GarcÃa-Lillo, F. (2022). The impact of absorptive capacity on innovation: A bibliometric review and measurement scale. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(2), 842. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020842
- Wamba, S. F., Gunasekaran, A., Akter, S., Ren, S. J.-F., Dubey, R., & Childe, S. J. (2017). Big data analytics and firm performance: Effects of dynamic capabilities. Journal of Business Research, 70, 356–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2016.08.009
- Yuan, Y., Lu, H., & Yang, M. (2022). Understanding organizational resilience in a platform context: Resource orchestration as a microfoundation. Journal of Business Research, 144, 527–539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.11.012
Back Download