Unpacking the black-box of information technology-enabled dynamic capabilities: a conceptual model

Purpose Extant research on the knowledge-intensive dynamic capabilities (DCs), in general, and information technology-enabled dynamic capabilities (ITDCs) has been criticized for lacking clarity and prescriptive value, reification of the focal construct and offering black box explanations of important organizational phenomena. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues and clarify the ITDC construct by discussing the role of IT in enabling DCs, classifying ITDCs based on function served, classifying the enablers of ITDCs and proposing a framework integrating the enablers and ITDCs. Design/methodology/approach Through a deep-dive into the extant literature, the authors develop a conceptual framework to bring out the dynamics around ITDCs. Findings The authors find that IT plays a critical role in enabling DCs, as these capabilities are knowledge intensive. Further, they develop a typology of ITDCs and classify the enablers of ITDCs. Research limitations/implications This paper will help future research by clarifying the confusion surrounding an important construct leading to accretion of related research and by facilitating more granular empirical studies. The proposed typology and framework will also help managers seeking to develop, deploy and maintain appropriate ITDCs in their respective organizations. Originality/value The DC theoretical perspective is an important theoretical perspective for examining the value added by information technology (IT) to businesses operating in volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environments, with dynamic IT capabilities and ITDCs being the two key conceptualizations. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is arguably the first paper to examine ITDCs in sufficient detail to unpack the associated dynamics.