Combining Structural and Sequential Ambidexterity: A Configurational Approach Using fsQCA

Abstract

Structural and sequential ambidexterity are proved to be two prevalent approaches in managing tension between exploration and exploitation. Dominant studies have treated the two approaches as mutually exclusive but have provided less insight about their combination, and the organizational configurations that advance such combination, which is a major meaningful gap explored in the current study. This study aims to explore the configurations of organization design choices to combine structural and sequential approaches from a holistic perspective. We apply fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to analyze the empirical data collected from 102 firms in China. The results show that firms attain high ambidexterity with both separated and blended configurations. Blended ones demonstrate that the structural and sequential approaches can be combined in a way that one approach dominates and the other subordinates. Organizational design mechanisms regarding the configurations for combining structural and sequential approaches are concluded as multielements (complements and substitutes) and multilevels (fit and interaction). These findings are also interpreted through the Chinese ‘Yin-Yang’ framework, which introduces ‘Yin-Yang balancing’ into the ambidexterity literature.

A configurational analysis of innovation ambidexterity: evidence from Chinese niche leaders

“…While there is consensus that ambidextrous innovation is inherently complex and operates within nested levels of a causal system (March, 1991; Zimmermann et al , 2020), existing research has not adequately explored this complexity from a configuration perspective. However, despite the application of the fsQCA approach by Huang et al (2021) and Sun et al (2023), which has provided insights into the complex nature of innovation ambidexterity, our understanding remains limited because of the lack of a more comprehensive framework. Building upon the configurational view and fsQCA approach, we advance beyond previous studies by simultaneously considering multiple cross-level factors and the asymmetric causal complexity of innovation ambidexterity.…”

“…This investigation also provides managerial implications that can assist SMEs and policymakers in recognizing how to foster ambidextrous innovation in emerging economies. However, despite the extensive literature suggesting the complex nature of ambidexterity (March, 1991; Sun et al , 2023), only a limited amount of research has endeavored to identify the various strategies that SMEs can use to enhance both exploratory and exploitative innovation. Although the focus of our study is the new equipment manufacturing industry, the findings can be applied to technology-based SMEs in the traditional manufacturing sector that are facing an increasingly challenging external environment.…”

“…Our theorizing suggests that innovation ambidexterity are best understood as a complex phenomenon influenced by interacting cross-level antecedent conditions (Zimmermann et al, 2020;Huang et al, 2021;Sun et al, 2023). Rather than solely examining the net effects of various factors, a more effective approach would be used to identify distinct pathways that lead to the same ultimate outcome (Fiss, 2007;Schneider et al, 2010).…”

“…For SMEs, this study contends that ambidextrous innovation is inherently complex and involves nested levels of a causal system (March, 1991;Sun et al, 2023;Zimmermann et al, 2020). In this vein, resting on secondary data of 69 Chinese "Specialized, Advanced, Differentiated, and Innovative" (SADI) firms, we use fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to examine the complex causal relationships between owner openness, age, digital transformation, formal institutional environment and informal institutional environment and their impact on innovation ambidexterity (Fiss, 2011;Ragin and Fiss, 2017).…”

“…As argued by Zimmermann et al (2020), the intricate nature of ambidexterity necessitates scholars to focus on the combined effects of antecedents at multiple levels, rather than relying on individual antecedents alone. Apart from a few exceptions (Huang et al , 2021; Sun et al , 2023), most of these studies have examined the isolated effects of single factors using traditional quantitative methods, rather than adopting a configurational approach. This gap presents a meaningful opportunity for ambidexterity research.…”