Dynamic Capabilities: Understanding Strategic Change in Organizations [Hardcover]

Constance E. Helfat (Author), Sydney Finkelstein (Author), Will Mitchell (Author), Margaret Peteraf (Author), Harbir Singh (Author), David Teece (Author), Sidney G. Winter (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1405159049 | ISBN-13: 978-1405159043 | Publication Date: January 22, 2007 | Edition: 1

Creating, adapting to, and exploiting change is inherently entrepreneurial. To survive and prosper under conditions of change, firms must develop the “dynamic capabilities” to create, extend, and modify the ways in which they operate. The capacity of an organization to create, extend, or modify its resource base is vital.

Since the concept of dynamic capabilities was first introduced, much research has elaborated the initial idea. This important book by Constance Helfat and her team of leading scholars provides a timely focus on in-depth examples of corporate dynamic capabilities. Examining these in the different contexts of alliances, acquisitions, and management, the book gives students and researchers a succinct, up-to-date definition of dynamic capabilities and the strategic management theories around them.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Creating, adapting to, and exploiting change is inherently entrepreneurial. To survive and prosper under conditions of change, firms must develop the "dynamic capabilities" to create, extend, and modify the ways in which they operate. The capacity of an organization to create, extend, or modify its resource base is vital. Since the concept of dynamic capabilities was first introduced, much research has elaborated the initial idea. This important book by Constance Helfat and her team of leading scholars provides a timely focus on in-depth examples of corporate dynamic capabilities. Testing these in the different contexts of alliances, acquisitions, and management, the book gives students and researchers a succinct, up-to-date definition of dynamic capabilities and the strategic management theories around them.

About the Author

Constance E. Helfat is the J. Brian Quinn Professor in Technology and Strategy at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. Professor Helfat focuses her research on firm capabilities and knowledge, involving technological innovation and adaptation and change of firm capabilities over time.

Sydney Finkelstein is the Steven Roth Professor of Management at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. Will Mitchell is the J. Rex Fuqua Professor of International Management and Professor of Strategy at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Margaret A. Peteraf is Professor of Strategic Management and Organization at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. Harbir Singh is the William and Phyllis Mack Professor at the Wharton School, and the Co-Director of the Mack Center for Technological Innovation. David J. Teece is the Mitsubishi Bank Professor and Director of the Institute of Management, Innovation and Organization, Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley. Sidney G. Winter is the Deloitte and Touche Professor of Management at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (January 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405159049
• ISBN-13: 978-1405159043
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.7 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,149,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A critical book to read if you want to understand the underpinnings of strategy, August 31, 2007

By 

Mark P. McDonald (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dynamic Capabilities: Understanding Strategic Change in Organizations (Paperback)

I may be the only person to write a review for this book, as its price is a little steep for the casual business book reader and this is not a casual business book.

Dynamic Capabilities is an academically based book, a collection of co-coordinated articles about the nature of capabilities in general and the capabilities that change capabilities (aka dynamic capabilities). As an academic book it is very strong with the authors tackling many of the major economic and corporate strategy issues involving why enterprises are designed and work in a particular way. From this perspective it is theory that is well researched, carefully and clearly explained.

Capabilities in general and dynamic capabilities in particular are critical for enterprises in devising and realizing their strategies and performance goals. In this regard, this book is a must read for corporate strategists and corporate development processionals who need to understand how to organize and structure the enterprise for success.

The articles in this book lay down the rational and logic for your leaders should view and organize their resources to achieve their strategies. I will admit that the language and the structure of the chapter/articles are geared more for researchers and students, but taking the time to read, understand and reflect on the implications of these research pieces is well worth the effort.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book if you want to understand the underpinnings of competitive advantage, August 28, 2007

By 

Mark P. McDonald (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dynamic Capabilities: Understanding Strategic Change in Organizations (Hardcover)

I may be the only person to write a review for this book, as its price is a little steep for the casual business book reader and this is not a casual business book.

Dynamic Capabilities is an academically based book, a collection of co-coordinated articles about the nature of capabilities in general and the capabilities that change capabilities (aka dynamic capabilities). As an academic book it is very strong with the authors tackling many of the major economic and corporate strategy issues involving why enterprises are designed and work in a particular way. From this perspective it is theory that is well researched, carefully and clearly explained.

Capabilities in general and dynamic capabilities in particular are critical for enterprises in devising and realizing their strategies and performance goals. In this regard, this book is a must read for corporate strategists and corporate development processionals who need to understand how to organize and structure the enterprise for success.

The articles in this book lay down the rational and logic for your leaders should view and organize their resources to achieve their strategies. I will admit that the language and the structure of the chapter/articles are geared more for researchers and students, but taking the time to read, understand and reflect on the implications of these research pieces is well worth the effort.