Citation:

Fetty Kwartati, Haris Maupa, Hadi Cahyadi. "A Grounded Theory Study on Building Dynamic Capabilities for Sustainable Export Competitiveness" International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies, Vol. 4, No. 7, pp. 22-29, 2025.

Abstract:

This study explores how export-oriented firms build dynamic capabilities that support both international competitiveness and sustainability imperatives. Using a grounded theory approach, we conducted in-depth interviews, document analysis, and field observations across ten Indonesian SMEs in the manufacturing and agribusiness sectors. The study uncovered a four-phase cyclical process: sensing mechanisms, seizing routines, reconfiguration processes, and performance feedback loops as the core structure through which dynamic capabilities emerge and evolve. These phases enable firms to detect shifts in market and regulatory environments, mobilize cross-functional initiatives, reallocate resources strategically, and institutionalize learning for continuous renewal. Sustainability imperatives (e.g., environmental standards, ESG goals) were found to be embedded within each phase, shaping how capabilities are developed and deployed. The study contributes to dynamic capabilities theory by detailing its micro-foundations in export settings and integrating sustainability as a co-evolving objective. For practitioners, it offers a clear roadmap to cultivate capabilities that enhance export performance while meeting global sustainability demands. Implications for future research include testing the model across sectors, scaling it longitudinally, and examining the role of digital technologies in accelerating capability renewal.

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Keywords:

Dynamic Capabilities, Export Competitiveness, Sustainability, Grounded Theory, SMEs, Capability Development, ESG, Innovation.