The individual side of ambidexterity: Do individuals’ perceptions match actual behaviors in reconciling the exploration and exploitation trade-off?

Sara Bonesso, Fabrizio Gerli and Annachiara Scapolan

European Management Journal, 2014, vol. 32, issue 3, 392-405

Abstract: The paper addresses the issue of the exploration–exploitation dilemma, adopting a micro level of analysis. Unlike the extensive literature on ambidexterity that investigates the organizational solutions that allow firms to pursue the balance between the two kinds of learning orientation, this research draws attention to the as yet barely analyzed individual dimension of ambidexterity. Specifically, in investigating personal ambidexterity we point to the relevance of individuals’ perceptions on what their role requires of them and the actual behaviors they perform.

Keywords: Exploration; Exploitation; Personal ambidexterity; Cognitive dissonance; Prior work experience; Behavioral competency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (22)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:eurman:v:32:y:2014:i:3:p:392-405

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DOI: 10.1016/j.emj.2013.07.003

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