Exploring and exploiting inventors at Westco: a case of ambidexterity in R&D

Hans Andersson and Mattias Johansson

International Journal of Project Organisation and Management, 2010, vol. 2, issue 3, 254-266

Abstract: Achieving both exploration and exploitation at the same time has become an increasingly important success factor for both firms and units within firms. Based on a single case study, this paper addresses how R&D units, traditionally regarded as responsible for firms' explorative activities, work to also increase exploitation in R&D. The results suggest that in a project intensive context such as R&D, the role of project management becomes more important to achieve ambidexterity. It is, however, not an easy task for project managers to take on, and the Westco case provides illustrative examples of both pitfalls and structures designed to help the managers.

Keywords: ambidexterity; creativity; inventors; project management; innovation; R&D exploration; R&D exploitation; research and development; Westco. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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