Abstract: The issue of absorptive capacity as a strategic and dynamic capability has been thoroughly investigated so far and the existing literature presents valuable outcomes concerning this construct, however, it still warrants further research-wise consideration as it a complex organizational phenomenon. Among the many determining variables that deserve further study are activation triggers as a contingent factor that moderate the impact of knowledge source on absorptive capacity. This study was, therefore, an attempt to re-read and review the existing literature about activation triggers to provide the model and the status of absorptive capacity. To this end, rather than the antecedents and consequences of this phenomenon, when and which events basically trigger absorptive capacity were undertaken in this study.