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Ambidextrous search and product innovation: moderating effects of resource and structural attributes

Author

Listed:
  • Wenhong Zhang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Yapu Zhao

    (Tongji University)

  • Donghan Wang

    (Communication University of China)

  • Haifeng Wang

    (Shanghai International Studies University)

  • Jian Li

    (Hunan University)

Abstract

This study examines how ambidextrous search strategy that conjointly pursuing technology search and market search affects innovation, as well as under what circumstances this relationship would be improved. In particular, we develop a model suggesting that a firm’s resource and structural attributes significantly shape the relationship between ambidextrous search and innovation. Using a data set composed of 233 firms, this study finds that ambidextrous search in terms of the interaction between technology search and market search plays a negative role in product innovation. Further, the relationship between ambidextrous search and innovation is positively moderated when the firm has more slack resources, or is less formalized. In particular, the firm characterized by high organizational slack and low formalization is the best at gaining innovation benefits of ambidextrous search. The findings enrich the discipline’s knowledge on the implications of search patterns especially regarding the question of how to maximize their contributions to product innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenhong Zhang & Yapu Zhao & Donghan Wang & Haifeng Wang & Jian Li, 2019. "Ambidextrous search and product innovation: moderating effects of resource and structural attributes," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(4), pages 1007-1028, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:44:y:2019:i:4:d:10.1007_s10961-017-9641-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-017-9641-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Hui Gao & Suming Wu, 2023. "The Influence of Ambidextrous Knowledge Search on Technological Innovation: The Mediating Role of Knowledge Base," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    2. Telma Mendes & Vítor Braga & Carina Silva & Vanessa Ratten, 2023. "Taking a closer look at the regionally clustered firms: How can ambidexterity explain the link between management, entrepreneurship, and innovation in a post-industrialized world?," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(6), pages 2007-2053, December.
    3. Jiang, Shuiquan & Yang, Jie & Yu, Mingchuan & Lin, Han & Li, Chao & Doty, Harold, 2022. "Strategic conformity, organizational learning ambidexterity, and corporate innovation performance: An inverted U-shaped curve?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 424-433.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Technology search; Market search; Ambidextrous search; Organizational slack; Organizational formalization; Product innovation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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