Knowledge absorption capabilities and their role in enhancing strategic prowess An exploratory study of the opinions of a sample of teaching staff at Kirkuk University

Abstract

     The current research aims to test the correlation between the absorptive capacities of knowledge and strategic ambidexterity in Iraqi universities, Kirkuk as a model. In order to achieve this, the dimensions of the absorptive capacities of knowledge were adopted (acquisition, absorption, transfer, investment) and the dimensions of strategic ambidexterity represented by (exploring opportunities, exploiting opportunities), as the University of Kirkuk was chosen as a community for the study and to test the hypotheses of the study. The study sample included (265) members of the teaching staff at the University of Kirkuk. The study also used a set of appropriate statistical treatment methods in data analysis, such as the correlation coefficient (person) and the use of (spss 23) programs. One of the most prominent conclusions reached by the research is the existence of a significant correlation relationship Significant between the absorptive abilities of knowledge in its dimensions and strategic ambidexterity at the total level as well as at the level of sub-dimensions, and this indicates the importance of the two variables for the researched university, as the highest correlation was between (investment and strategic ingenuity), which is a strong correlation relationship explained by the results that the more the university management In its ability to absorb knowledge represented by investment and the absorptive capacity to acquire and analyze knowledge, which would be They are in enhancing the strategic ambidexterity of the university. This also explains the enjoyment of the faculty and academic staff at the researched university with their ability to invest in knowledge and work on their ability to transfer it to their colleagues at work and the ability to absorb the knowledge they converge in a flexible manner whenever this leads to enhancing their strategic ambidexterity represented in exploring and exploiting opportunities.