Dynamic managerial capabilities: lessons from non-profits in highly dynamic environments

Purpose. Drawing on the concept of dynamic managerial capabilities, to propose a model that incorporates managerial human and social capital, and managerial cognition in the dynamic capabilities framework.

Design/Method/Approach. The study is an empirical in the context of the current conflict in the eastern Ukraine and is an analysis a non-profit field with an extremely high dynamic environment. The data was collected using a quantitative survey with 70 private corps, non-commissioned officers, and higher-ranked officers.

Findings. The model provides a direct relationship between dynamic capabilities and dynamic managerial capabilities, whereby the latter is constituted by the perceived manager’s competence (manager’s human capital), manager’s team (manager’s social capital), and manager’s goal congruence towards the goals of the organization (managerial cognition).

Theoretical implications. This paper expanded the body of research on dynamic managerial capabilities by developing the following arguments: (1) dynamic managerial capabilities directly influence organizational dynamic capabilities; (2) managerial social capital mediates relationships between managerial human capital and organizational dynamic capabilities; (3) managerial social capital mediates relationships between managerial cognition and organizational dynamic capabilities.

Originality/value. This research not only shows how a non-profit organization can act efficiently, it is also an example of an application of strategic management theory to a practical field with life or death consequences.

Research limitations/Future research. This research opens avenues for future research on dynamic capabilities in non-profit organizations.

 Paper type – empirical.