External knowledge processing in the fuzzy front end: functional perspectives, capability interdependencies and coordination interfaces

Purpose This study examines how knowledge identification capability (KIC), knowledge acquisition capability (KAC) and knowledge sharing capability (KSC) are enacted from different functional positions during the fuzzy front end (FFE) of innovation, and how participants describe the interfaces through which these knowledge-processing activities connect. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts an abductive, multiple-case design and a Gioia-inspired analytical procedure. It draws on 48 expert interviews with senior professionals working in R&D, innovation, consumer intelligence and supply chain roles across eight FMCG and technology organisations. Findings The findings indicate that KIC, KAC and KSC are connected through overlap, iteration and reciprocal feedback rather than operating as an exclusively linear sequence. Participants described differentiated functional contributions, with R&D providing technical interpretation, Consumer intelligence framing behavioural relevance, supply chain contributing supplier and feasibility knowledge, and innovation facilitating translation and integration. The sampled FMCG accounts particularly emphasised signal expiry and timely insight translation, whereas technology accounts more frequently highlighted technical complexity and cross-functional interpretation. Research limitations/implications The findings are based on functionally situated managerial accounts and do not establish complete firm-level configurations or objective innovation-performance effects. Future research should use multi-function, longitudinal and project-level designs to assess whether the reported coordination patterns recur across organisations and sectors. Practical implications The study provides a diagnostic framework for identifying knowledge-processing bottlenecks, including identification without translation, acquisition without prioritisation, sharing without interpretive capacity, asynchronous activation and functional gatekeeping. Originality/value The study's originality lies in showing how established knowledge-processing capabilities are described from different functional positions and how participants report reciprocal and temporal interfaces among these activities during the FFE.