Extending the absorptive capacity of the small family entrepreneurs and managers as gatekeepers

ABSTRACT Specialized literature reveals that the level of absorptive capacity (ACAP) within organizations depends on the individuals who are at the company's interface with the external environment or at the interface between the company's subunits. It also highlights that some individuals assume relatively centralized gatekeeper roles. The study argues that individual ACAP precedes organizational ACAP, as it is necessary to understand the role of individuals in the capacity of companies to absorb external knowledge. The purpose of this article is to explore the role of owner-managers of small family businesses in ACAP. The exploratory research method uses case studies. The results show that small family business owner-managers have the qualities of gatekeepers and that, even though they help with communication and knowledge transfer across company borders and increase their ACAP, these professionals have limited roles as gatekeepers because of their family ties and affective-emotional matters.