Strategic management research increasingly seeks to identify processes and activities that constitute dynamic capabilities. At this juncture, researchers try to open the ‘black box’ of a complex, causal ambiguous construct. Thus, the micro-foundations view goes along with sev-eral empirical challenges. In our study, we propose a quantitative measurement approach that uses action-based operationalizations to get to the core of actions and interactions that under-pin dynamic capabilities. We develop an actor-centered measurement instrument that address-es individual and organizational capabilities alike. We argue that surveying employees pro-vides a reliable and parsimonious way of analyzing the collective mind of organizational members which is supposed to be an adequate method to deal with the causal ambiguity ar-gument. Psychometric properties are tested in a sample of 486 employees in five German or-ganizations. We present results concerning dimensionality, reliability and validity. Finally, we briefly discuss recommendations for further developments and practical use of the instrument.
