IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/techno/v124y2023ics016649722300055x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Ambidexterity in a geographic context: A systematic literature review on international exploration and exploitation of knowledge

Author

Listed:
  • Roth, Linus
  • Corsi, Simone

Abstract

Despite the globalised nature of today's innovation environment, research on organisational ambidexterity's geographic dimension, especially international, is scarce and largely fragmented. We conduct a systematic literature review of 107 selected academic articles and take stock of what is understood about the geographic implications of ambidexterity, as well as map out important research gaps. We propose a conceptual framework that brings the dispersed body of literature closer together to focus the future academic discussion. The results show how three main interconnected areas—strategic approach, entry mode, and environmental factors—determine and influence exploration and exploitation activities in an international geographic context. Finally, future research avenues are identified in order to support and guide scholars and researchers in their pursuit of advancing the discussion on the geographic dimension of ambidexterity.

Suggested Citation

  • Roth, Linus & Corsi, Simone, 2023. "Ambidexterity in a geographic context: A systematic literature review on international exploration and exploitation of knowledge," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:124:y:2023:i:c:s016649722300055x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2023.102744
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016649722300055X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.technovation.2023.102744?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Christiane Prange & Olga Bruyaka, 2016. "Better at Home, Abroad, Or Both? : How Chinese Firms use Ambidextrous Internationalization Strategies to Drive Innovation," Post-Print hal-02313274, HAL.
    2. Di Minin, Alberto & Zhang, Jieyin & Gammeltoft, Peter, 2012. "Chinese foreign direct investment in R&D in Europe: A new model of R&D internationalization?," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 189-203.
    3. Sarfraz Mian & Wadid Lamine & Alain Fayolle, 2016. "Technology Business Incubation: An overview of the state of knowledge," Post-Print hal-02014389, HAL.
    4. Mukherjee, Debmalya & Lahiri, Somnath & Ash, Steven R. & Gaur, Ajai S., 2019. "Search motives, local embeddedness, and knowledge outcomes in offshoring," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 365-375.
    5. Justin J. P. Jansen & Frans A. J. Van Den Bosch & Henk W. Volberda, 2006. "Exploratory Innovation, Exploitative Innovation, and Performance: Effects of Organizational Antecedents and Environmental Moderators," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 52(11), pages 1661-1674, November.
    6. Ardito, Lorenzo & Peruffo, Enzo & Natalicchio, Angelo, 2019. "The relationships between the internationalization of alliance portfolio diversity, individual incentives, and innovation ambidexterity: A microfoundational approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    7. Marina Papanastassiou & Robert Pearce & Antonello Zanfei, 2020. "Changing perspectives on the internationalization of R&D and innovation by multinational enterprises: A review of the literature," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(4), pages 623-664, June.
    8. Zhou, Lianxi & Xu, Shou-Ren & Xu, Hui & Barnes, Bradley R., 2020. "Unleashing the dynamics of product-market ambidexterity in the pursuit of international opportunities: Insights from emerging market firms," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(6).
    9. Prange, Christiane & Verdier, Sylvie, 2011. "Dynamic capabilities, internationalization processes and performance," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 126-133, January.
    10. Bruyaka, Olga & Prange, Christiane, 2020. "International cultural ambidexterity: Balancing tensions of foreign market entry into distant and proximate cultures," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 491-506.
    11. Zhang, Zhu & Lyles, Marjorie A. & Wu, Changqi, 2020. "The stock market performance of exploration-oriented and exploitation-oriented cross-border mergers and acquisitions: Evidence from emerging market enterprises," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4).
    12. Larissa Rabbiosi & Stefano Elia & Fabio Bertoni, 2012. "Acquisitions by EMNCs in Developed Markets," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 52(2), pages 193-212, April.
    13. Philip M. Podsakoff & Scott B. MacKenzie & Daniel G. Bachrach & Nathan P. Podsakoff, 2005. "The influence of management journals in the 1980s and 1990s," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(5), pages 473-488, May.
    14. Zhang, Feng & Jiang, Guohua & Cantwell, John A., 2015. "Subsidiary exploration and the innovative performance of large multinational corporations," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 224-234.
    15. Malik, Ashish & Sinha, Paresha & Pereira, Vijay & Rowley, Chris, 2019. "Implementing global-local strategies in a post-GFC era: Creating an ambidextrous context through strategic choice and HRM," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 557-569.
    16. Michael Lubatkin & Zeki Simsek & Yan Ling & John F. Veiga, 2006. "Ambidexterity and Performance in Small-to Medium-Sized Firms : The Pivotal Role of Top Management Team Behavioral Integration," Post-Print hal-02311781, HAL.
    17. Debellis, Francesco & Rondi, Emanuela & Plakoyiannaki, Emmanuella & De Massis, Alfredo, 2021. "Riding the waves of family firm internationalization: A systematic literature review, integrative framework, and research agenda," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(1).
    18. Christiane Prange, 2012. "Ambidextrous Internationalization Strategies : The Case of Chinese Firms Entering the World Market," Post-Print hal-02312915, HAL.
    19. Luo, Yadong & Maksimov, Vladislav & Bu, Juan, 2021. "Making Geographic Dispersion Work for Emerging Market MNEs," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(3).
    20. Bandeira-de-Mello, Rodrigo & Fleury, Maria Tereza Leme & Aveline, Carlos Eduardo Stefaniak & Gama, Marina Amado Bahia, 2016. "Unpacking the ambidexterity implementation process in the internationalization of emerging market multinationals," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(6), pages 2005-2017.
    21. Qing Cao & Eric Gedajlovic & Hongping Zhang, 2009. "Unpacking Organizational Ambidexterity: Dimensions, Contingencies, and Synergistic Effects," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 20(4), pages 781-796, August.
    22. Harry G Barkema & Rian Drogendijk, 2007. "Internationalising in small, incremental or larger steps?," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 38(7), pages 1132-1148, December.
    23. Hsu, Chia-Wen & Lien, Yung-Chih & Chen, Homin, 2013. "International ambidexterity and firm performance in small emerging economies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 58-67.
    24. Ruihua Joy Jiang & Qingjiu Tom Tao & Michael D. Santoro, 2010. "Alliance portfolio diversity and firm performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(10), pages 1136-1144, October.
    25. Marta Gancarczyk, 2015. "Enterprise- and Industry-Level Drivers of Cluster Evolution and Their Outcomes for Clusters from Developed and Less-Developed Countries," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(10), pages 1932-1952, October.
    26. James G. March, 1991. "Exploration and Exploitation in Organizational Learning," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 2(1), pages 71-87, February.
    27. Christiane Prange & Sylvie Verdier, 2011. "Dynamic capabilities, internationalization processes and performance," Post-Print hal-02312587, HAL.
    28. Amalesh Sharma & V. Kumar & Jun Yan & Sourav Bikash Borah & Anirban Adhikary, 2019. "Understanding the structural characteristics of a firm’s whole buyer–supplier network and its impact on international business performance," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(3), pages 365-392, April.
    29. Michael Christofi & Demetris Vrontis & Anna Makrides, 2022. "Exploring the role of institutions in Chinese OFDI: a systematic review and integrative framework," Asia Pacific Business Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(2), pages 187-213, March.
    30. Joseph Amankwah-Amoah & Ellis L. C. Osabutey, 2020. "New challenges and opportunities in the global marketplace: learning from developed-country multinationals’ failures," International Studies of Management & Organization, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(1), pages 43-56, January.
    31. Saka-Helmhout, Ayse, 2020. "Institutional agency by MNEs: A review and future research agenda," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 26(2).
    32. Zi-Lin He & Poh-Kam Wong, 2004. "Exploration vs. Exploitation: An Empirical Test of the Ambidexterity Hypothesis," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 15(4), pages 481-494, August.
    33. Tang, Qingqing & Gu, Flora F. & Xie, En & Wu, Zhan, 2020. "Exploratory and exploitative OFDI from emerging markets: Impacts on firm performance," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(2).
    34. Sarfraz Mian & Wadid Lamine & Alain Fayolle, 2016. "Technology Business Incubation : An overview of the state of knowledge," Post-Print hal-02313371, HAL.
    35. Williams, Ralph I. & Clark, Leigh Anne & Clark, W. Randy & Raffo, Deana M., 2021. "Re-examining systematic literature review in management research: Additional benefits and execution protocols," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 521-533.
    36. Sascha Kraus & Matthias Breier & Sonia Dasí-Rodríguez, 2020. "The art of crafting a systematic literature review in entrepreneurship research," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 1023-1042, September.
    37. Vahlne, Jan-Erik & Jonsson, Anna, 2017. "Ambidexterity as a dynamic capability in the globalization of the multinational business enterprise (MBE): Case studies of AB Volvo and IKEA," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(1), pages 57-70.
    38. Christofi, Michael & Vrontis, Demetris & Cadogan, John W., 2021. "Micro-foundational ambidexterity and multinational enterprises: A systematic review and a conceptual framework," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    39. Zhang, Xiaotao & Liu, Yipeng & Tarba, Shlomo Y. & Giudice, Manlio Del, 2020. "The micro-foundations of strategic ambidexterity: Chinese cross-border M&As, Mid-View thinking and integration management," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(6).
    40. Jeoung Yul Lee & Jooyoung Kwak & Kyoung Ae Kim, 2014. "Subsidiary goals, learning orientations, and ownership strategies of multinational enterprises: evidence from foreign direct investments in Korea," Asia Pacific Business Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(4), pages 558-577, October.
    41. Uriel Stettner & Dovev Lavie, 2014. "Ambidexterity under scrutiny: Exploration and exploitation via internal organization, alliances, and acquisitions," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(13), pages 1903-1929, December.
    42. Elia, Stefano & Messeni Petruzzelli, Antonio & Piscitello, Lucia, 2019. "The impact of cultural diversity on innovation performance of MNC subsidiaries in strategic alliances," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 204-213.
    43. Jiménez, Alfredo & Boehe, Dirk, 2018. "How do political and market exposure nurture ambidexterity?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 67-76.
    44. Leonidou, Erasmia & Christofi, Michael & Vrontis, Demetris & Thrassou, Alkis, 2020. "An integrative framework of stakeholder engagement for innovation management and entrepreneurship development," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 245-258.
    45. Khan, Zaheer & Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph & Lew, Yong Kyu & Puthusserry, Pushyarag & Czinkota, Michael, 2022. "Strategic ambidexterity and its performance implications for emerging economies multinationals," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(3).
    46. Mian, Sarfraz & Lamine, Wadid & Fayolle, Alain, 2016. "Technology Business Incubation: An overview of the state of knowledge," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 50, pages 1-12.
    47. Larissa Rabbiosi & Stefano Elia & Fabio Bertoni, 2012. "Acquisitions by EMNCs in Developed Markets : An Organisational Learning Perspective," Post-Print hal-02312943, HAL.
    48. Maria Vincenza Ciasullo & Raffaella Montera & Nicola Cucari & Francesco Polese, 2020. "How an international ambidexterity strategy can address the paradox perspective on corporate sustainability: Evidence from Chinese emerging market multinationals," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 2110-2129, July.
    49. Ahsan, Faisal M. & Sinha, Ashutosh & Srinivasan, R, 2020. "Exploring Firm-Level Antecedents that Drive Motives of Internationalization: A Study of Knowledge Intensive Indian Firms," Management and Organization Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 16(4), pages 867-906, October.
    50. Li, Peter Ping, 2010. "Toward a learning-based view of internationalization: The accelerated trajectories of cross-border learning for latecomers," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 16(1), pages 43-59, March.
    51. Yadong Luo & Rosalie L Tung, 2018. "A general theory of springboard MNEs," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(2), pages 129-152, February.
    52. Zeki Simsek, 2009. "Organizational Ambidexterity: Towards a Multilevel Understanding," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(4), pages 597-624, June.
    53. Abel Lucena, 2016. "The interaction mode and geographic scope of firms’ technology alliances: implications of balancing exploration and exploitation in R&D," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(7), pages 595-624, October.
    54. Li, Yi & Cui, Lin, 2018. "The Influence of Top Management Team on Chinese Firms’ FDI Ambidexterity," Management and Organization Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(3), pages 513-542, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. David B. Audretsch & Maribel Guerrero, 2023. "Is ambidexterity the missing link between entrepreneurship, management, and innovation?," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(6), pages 1891-1918, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bruyaka, Olga & Prange, Christiane, 2020. "International cultural ambidexterity: Balancing tensions of foreign market entry into distant and proximate cultures," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 491-506.
    2. Choi, Yoona & Cui, Lin & Li, Yi & Tian, Xizhou, 2020. "Focused and ambidextrous catch-up strategies of emerging economy multinationals," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(6).
    3. Liu, Ting & Li, Xizhuo, 2022. "How Do MNCs Conduct Local Technological Innovation in a Host Country? An Examination From Subsidiaries' Perspective," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(3).
    4. Maria Vincenza Ciasullo & Raffaella Montera & Nicola Cucari & Francesco Polese, 2020. "How an international ambidexterity strategy can address the paradox perspective on corporate sustainability: Evidence from Chinese emerging market multinationals," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 2110-2129, July.
    5. Lee, Jeoung Yul & Yang, Young Soo & Park, Byung Il, 2020. "Interplay between dual dimensions of knowledge sharing within globalized chaebols: The moderating effects of organization size and global environmental munificence," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(6).
    6. Zhao, Shasha & Liu, Xiaohui & Andersson, Ulf & Shenkar, Oded, 2022. "Knowledge management of emerging economy multinationals," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(1).
    7. Olga Kassotaki, 2022. "Review of Organizational Ambidexterity Research," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(1), pages 21582440221, March.
    8. Centobelli, Piera & Cerchione, Roberto & Esposito, Emilio & Shashi,, 2019. "Exploration and exploitation in the development of more entrepreneurial universities: A twisting learning path model of ambidexterity," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 172-194.
    9. Michael Yao-Ping Peng & Zhaohua Zhang & Hsin-Yi Yen & Shu-Mi Yang, 2019. "Dynamic Capabilities and Firm Performance in the High-Tech Industry: Quadratic and Moderating Effects under Differing Ambidexterity Levels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-15, September.
    10. Úbeda-García, Mercedes & Claver-Cortés, Enrique & Marco-Lajara, Bartolomé & Zaragoza-Sáez, Patrocinio, 2020. "Toward a dynamic construction of organizational ambidexterity: Exploring the synergies between structural differentiation, organizational context, and interorganizational relations," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 363-372.
    11. Khan, Zaheer & Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph & Lew, Yong Kyu & Puthusserry, Pushyarag & Czinkota, Michael, 2022. "Strategic ambidexterity and its performance implications for emerging economies multinationals," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(3).
    12. Marina Estrada-Cruz & Noelia Rodriguez-Hernández & Antonio J. Verdú-Jover & Jose Maria Gómez-Gras, 2022. "The effect of competitive intensity on the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and organizational results," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 1-24, March.
    13. Hsu, Chia-Wen & Lien, Yung-Chih & Chen, Homin, 2013. "International ambidexterity and firm performance in small emerging economies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 58-67.
    14. Marina Estrada-Cruz & Noelia Rodriguez-Hernández & Antonio J. Verdú-Jover & Jose Maria Gómez-Gras, 0. "The effect of competitive intensity on the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and organizational results," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-24.
    15. Dodourova, Mariana & Zhao, Shasha & Harzing, Anne-Wil, 2023. "Ambidexterity in MNC knowledge sourcing in emerging economies: A microfoundational perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2).
    16. Martin Owusu Ansah & Nicholas Addai-Boamah & Abeeku Bylon Bamfo & Lucy Afeafa Ry-Kottoh, 2022. "Organizational ambidexterity and financial performance in the banking industry: evidence from a developing economy," Journal of Financial Services Marketing, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 27(3), pages 250-263, September.
    17. Vinit Parida & Tom Lahti & Joakim Wincent, 2016. "Exploration and exploitation and firm performance variability: a study of ambidexterity in entrepreneurial firms," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 1147-1164, December.
    18. David B. Audretsch & Maribel Guerrero, 2023. "Is ambidexterity the missing link between entrepreneurship, management, and innovation?," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(6), pages 1891-1918, December.
    19. Priyono Anjar & Nursyamsiah Siti & Darmawan Baziedy A., 2019. "Managing ambidexterity in internationalisation of SMEs from an emerging country: A dynamic capability perspective," HOLISTICA – Journal of Business and Public Administration, Sciendo, vol. 10(3), pages 7-26, December.
    20. Cui, Lin & Gao, Qiuling & Guo, Jinyu & Ma, Pengcheng, 2022. "OFDI performance of EMNEs: A review and recommendations for future research," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(3).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:124:y:2023:i:c:s016649722300055x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01664972 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.