ICT knowledge absorptive capacity: A critical factor for technology integration in schools.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: ICT knowledge absorptive capacity: A critical factor for technology integration in schools.
Authors: Fischer‐Schöneborn, Sandra1,2 (AUTHOR), Brown, Chris3 (AUTHOR), Aydin, Burak1,4 (AUTHOR), MacGregor, Stephen5 (AUTHOR), Pietsch, Marcus1 (AUTHOR) marcus.pietsch@leuphana.de
Source: British Journal of Educational Technology. Jan2026, Vol. 57 Issue 1, p138-162. 25p.
Subject Terms: *Educational technology, *Elementary schools, *Educational innovations, Information & communication technologies, Information sharing, Coopetition, Social processes, Innovation management
Geographic Terms: Germany
Abstract: This study examines whether and how a school's information and communication technology (ICT) knowledge absorptive capacity (ACAP) affects technology integration in schools. In addition, it investigates the influence of various contextual factors on the degree of contingency of ACAP, such as activation triggers, social integration mechanisms and regimes of appropriability. The study is based on a random sample of N = 411 schools representative of Germany. Structural equation modelling and machine learning were employed. The findings indicate that ICT ACAP has a positive impact on technology integration in schools and serves as a mediator in the relationship between external knowledge and technology integration. The impact of ICT ACAP on technology integration is contingent upon the presence and efficacy of knowledge‐sharing mechanisms within the school, as well as the extent to which schools engage in collaborative efforts with competitors (coopetition). The insights of this study have implications for policymakers and educational leaders, who could prioritize building ACAP and fostering collaborative networks to create more adaptable and innovative school environments. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic For schools, technology integration is considered an important educational innovation.Acquiring, creating and sharing knowledge are essential for an efficient technology integration.Knowledge absorptive capacity (ACAP) is a critical factor in the acquisition of knowledge.What this paper adds Higher information and communication technology (ICT) ACAP is associated with increased technology integration.ICT ACAP mediates between the depth of external knowledge and technology integration.The efficacy of ACAP is contingent upon a number of contextual variables, in particular, knowledge sharing in schools and coopetition.Implications for practice and/or policy Schools need to identify, integrate and exploit relevant ICT knowledge to integrate technology successfully.Schools must develop systematic knowledge management systems to ensure that newly acquired knowledge is used reasonably.Schools must collaborate, even if they compete, to succeed in technology integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of British Journal of Educational Technology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
Full text is not displayed to guests.
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 1
Header DbId: ehh
DbLabel: Education Research Complete
An: 190860413
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: ICT knowledge absorptive capacity: A critical factor for technology integration in schools.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fischer‐Schöneborn%2C+Sandra%22">Fischer‐Schöneborn, Sandra</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Brown%2C+Chris%22">Brown, Chris</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Aydin%2C+Burak%22">Aydin, Burak</searchLink><relatesTo>1,4</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22MacGregor%2C+Stephen%22">MacGregor, Stephen</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pietsch%2C+Marcus%22">Pietsch, Marcus</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> marcus.pietsch@leuphana.de</i>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22British+Journal+of+Educational+Technology%22">British Journal of Educational Technology</searchLink>. Jan2026, Vol. 57 Issue 1, p138-162. 25p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subject Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+technology%22">Educational technology</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+schools%22">Elementary schools</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+innovations%22">Educational innovations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+%26+communication+technologies%22">Information & communication technologies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+sharing%22">Information sharing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Coopetition%22">Coopetition</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+processes%22">Social processes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Innovation+management%22">Innovation management</searchLink>
– Name: SubjectGeographic
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Germany%22">Germany</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study examines whether and how a school's information and communication technology (ICT) knowledge absorptive capacity (ACAP) affects technology integration in schools. In addition, it investigates the influence of various contextual factors on the degree of contingency of ACAP, such as activation triggers, social integration mechanisms and regimes of appropriability. The study is based on a random sample of N = 411 schools representative of Germany. Structural equation modelling and machine learning were employed. The findings indicate that ICT ACAP has a positive impact on technology integration in schools and serves as a mediator in the relationship between external knowledge and technology integration. The impact of ICT ACAP on technology integration is contingent upon the presence and efficacy of knowledge‐sharing mechanisms within the school, as well as the extent to which schools engage in collaborative efforts with competitors (coopetition). The insights of this study have implications for policymakers and educational leaders, who could prioritize building ACAP and fostering collaborative networks to create more adaptable and innovative school environments. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic For schools, technology integration is considered an important educational innovation.Acquiring, creating and sharing knowledge are essential for an efficient technology integration.Knowledge absorptive capacity (ACAP) is a critical factor in the acquisition of knowledge.What this paper adds Higher information and communication technology (ICT) ACAP is associated with increased technology integration.ICT ACAP mediates between the depth of external knowledge and technology integration.The efficacy of ACAP is contingent upon a number of contextual variables, in particular, knowledge sharing in schools and coopetition.Implications for practice and/or policy Schools need to identify, integrate and exploit relevant ICT knowledge to integrate technology successfully.Schools must develop systematic knowledge management systems to ensure that newly acquired knowledge is used reasonably.Schools must collaborate, even if they compete, to succeed in technology integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of British Journal of Educational Technology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=190860413
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1111/bjet.13608
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 25
        StartPage: 138
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Educational technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational innovations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Information & communication technologies
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Information sharing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Coopetition
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social processes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Innovation management
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Germany
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: ICT knowledge absorptive capacity: A critical factor for technology integration in schools.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Fischer‐Schöneborn, Sandra
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Brown, Chris
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Aydin, Burak
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: MacGregor, Stephen
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Pietsch, Marcus
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Text: Jan2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 00071013
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 57
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: British Journal of Educational Technology
              Type: main
ResultId 1