The Microfoundations of Managing Adaptive Tension as Dynamic Capability in Innovation Management

Anita Mustikasari () and Wakhid Slamet Ciptono ()
Additional contact information
Anita Mustikasari: Gadjah Mada University
Wakhid Slamet Ciptono: Gadjah Mada University

Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 2025, vol. 26, issue 3, No 10, 649-679

Abstract: Abstract This research explores the microlevel components associated with managing adaptive tension within dynamic innovation capabilities, focusing on tension as a distinctive characteristic of dynamic capability. Adaptive tension stems from the necessity of achieving balance within an organization and its equilibrium during periods of significant change. The present research used a systematic literature approach, drawing on 109 articles to identify 10 categories of innovation-related tension, which contained 44 different types of tension. The present research indicates that adaptive tension is most effectively managed within a microlevel action framework of individuals and their actions, inter-team relations, collaborative workflows, and flexible or adaptive organizational designs. This research underscores the need for a three-tiered integration strategy to manage adaptive tension in individuals, interactions, processes, and organizational frameworks. The incorporation of microcomponents within dynamic capabilities broadens the argument and presents a model of innovation management that is responsive and enduring, which is important to the organization’s configuration. This research demonstrates how strategically leveraging adaptive tension amplifies enduring innovation and advances organizational change through distinct theoretical and practical lenses.

Keywords: Dynamic capabilities; Innovation management; Managing adaptive tension; Microfoundations; Strategic flexibility; Tension (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D23 L25 O31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s40171-025-00449-9 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:gjofsm:v:26:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s40171-025-00449-9

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/journal/40171

DOI: 10.1007/s40171-025-00449-9

Access Statistics for this article

Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management is currently edited by Sushil

More articles in Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management from Springer, Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().