Resumen de The moderating role of relational learning on the PACAP-RACAP link: A study in the Spanish automotive components manufacturing sector

Antonio Luis Leal Rodríguez, José L. Roldán

• Starting from the construct absorptive capacity (ACAP), this paper adopts Zahra and George (2002) conceptualization of absorptive capacity, which considers it as two subsets � potential absorptive capacity (PACAP) and realized absorptive capacity (RACAP). Hence we have hypothesized a positive relationship between PACAP and RACAP. We also hypothesized a positive relationship between relational learning (RL) and RACAP. Finally we have assessed the moderating role of RL in the PACAP�RACAP link. Data were collected from a sample of 110 firms belonging to the Spanish automotive components manufacturing sector. Results from a variance-based structural equation-modeling tool show that RL moderates (reinforces) the influence of PACAP on RACAP. In addition this paper provides evidence about the important role that RL plays as antecedent of RACAP.