International dynamic capabilities: What role do international entrepreneurial culture and absorptive capacity play?

International firms in emerging economies have developed dynamic international capabilities to cope with resource constraints and the uncertainty of global markets. This research focuses on two dynamic capabilities: International ambidexterity and international open innovation. It also assessed the impact of international entrepreneurial culture (IEC) on both capabilities, as well as the mediating role of absorptive capacity and the moderating effect of environmental dynamism. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire completed by 400 international companies in Colombia of varying sizes and sectors. Structural equation modeling revealed that IEC has a positive influence on IAI but a negative influence on IAC. Absorptive capacity was found not to mediate the relationship between IEC and either capability, and the moderating role of environmental dynamism was not confirmed. This study offers theoretical and managerial implications by identifying the dynamic capabilities that companies develop to operate in international markets.