Extending the resource and knowledge based view: A critical analysis into its theoretical evolution and future research directions

Abstract

Abstract Despite the vast progression in resource-based and knowledge-based view research, little is known about the future application and extension of this influential theoretical lens in some of the contemporary contexts and phenomena. Also, the vastness and degree of diversification has made the resource-based and knowledge-based view research very fragmented. This paper thus aims to contribute by consolidating the extant knowledge base and aims to comprehend the future extension of this research field using a systematic and quantitative literature review approach. In order to achieve this research objective, our study deploys a bibliometric analysis and analyses the bibliometric metadata consisting of 288 research documents within this research field. In doing so, this paper makes some significant contributions both in terms of research and practice. First, as far as we are aware, this paper offers a first of its kind systematic and quantitative review of extant scholarships of resource and knowledge-based view. Second, our systematic review advances the understanding of resource- and knowledge-based view research by offering a comprehensive structure of this research domain from a temporal and traditional perspective i.e., how this research field has evolved and what is the contribution of other domains is its development and evolution, something has possibly not been done, and hence worthy of researching and exploring. Third, our analysis identifies the emerging trends and potential future paths of the resource and knowledge-based view scholarship. Lastly, we offer suggestions for organizations on developing competitive advantage using their knowledge-based resources and competences.