Borrowing in competence attrition as adaptive bias

Abstract The objective of this article is to examine a specific form of competence attrition, borrowing, as heuristic solutions to a problem of partial loss of pre-existing organizational competences. In linguistics, language attrition is a recurring phenomenon that consists of the loss of proficiency in one’s native language due to interaction with and learning of a new language. Language attrition involves both systematic errors in the native language and alternative solutions offered by interaction with newly acquired language skills. Recently, a theory of competence attrition has been proposed as an extension of this phenomenon to organizational competences. The purpose of this article is to discuss how forms of competence attrition in organizations can be considered an adaptive solution, discussing the specific form of borrowing. After delving into the topic of borrowing, a case study of a company in the sneakers industry is proposed. The case highlights how resorting to borrowing represents a bias in standard skills that can be viewed positively by the organization as an adaptive solution that can be successful under specific conditions. Implications for both researchers and managers are formulated.