Social Networking: The Crucial Role of R&D Middle Managers in Facilitating Ambidexterity and Coping with Digital Transformation

Martin Rost, Eva Sonnenmoser and Birgit Renzl

Journal of Competences, Strategy & Management, 2019, vol. 10, 107-137

Abstract: Middle managers play a crucial role in organizations linking exploitation and exploration activities (ambidexterity) by boundary spanning and networking activities. The findings from 24 interviews with middle managers in the automotive industry in Europe show that social networking supports individuals in their ambidextrous behavior. Networks used for exploration activities were more heterogeneous than those used for exploitation. Moreover, their contacts provide five benefits in particular to facilitate ambidexterity and to cope with the challenges of digital transformation: providing information, developing new ideas, power promotion, assessment of work and estimation of feasibility

Keywords: ambidexterity; network ties; R&D middle managers; exploitation; exploration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L26 L81 M14 M53 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Journal of Competences, Strategy & Management is currently edited by Prof. Dr. Klaus Bellmann, University of Mainz, Germany, Prof. Dr. Christoph Burmann, University of Bremen, Germany, Prof. Dr. Jörg Freiling, University of Bremen, Germany (Editor-in-Chief), Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Gemünden, Technical University of Berlin, Germany, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang H. Güttel, University of Linz, Austria, Prof. Dr. Hans H. Hinterhuber, University of Innsbruck, Austria, Interim Prof. Dr. Sven M. Laudien, University of Magdeburg, Germany, Prof. Dr. Dietrich von der Oelsnitz, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany, Prof. Dr. Heike Proff, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, Prof. Dr. Christoph Rasche, University of Potsdam, Germany, Prof. Dr. Michael Stephan, University of Marburg, Germany and Prof. Dr. Erich Zahn, University of Stuttgart, Germany

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