Author(s)

Xin Li

Corresponding Author

Xin Li

ABSTRACT

Significant ambiguity remains in the literature regarding the analysis framework of organizational ambidexterity. This study unpacks this construct into one with two dimensions in term of the Balance Dimension of Ambidexterity (BD) and the Combined Dimension of Ambidexterity (CD). BD denotes to a firm’s orientation to maintain a close relative balance between exploratory and exploitative activities, while CD corresponds to their combined magnitude. The study reasons that these dimensions are conceptually distinct, and rely on different causal mechanisms to enhance firm performance. A complete and thorough review of extant literature about organizational ambidexterity is carried out to find that over and above their independent effects, concurrent high levels of BD and CD yield synergistic benefits. These results indicate that managers in resource constrained contexts may benefit from a paradox perspective on managing trade-offs between exploration and exploitation demands, but for firms that have access to sufficient resources, the simultaneous pursuit of exploration and exploitation is both possible and desirable.

KEYWORDS

Organizational Ambidexterity, Exploration, Exploitation, Paradox