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Facilitating and Inhibiting Effects of Organisational Ambidexterity in SME: an Analysis Centred on SME Characteristics

Author

Listed:
  • José Andrade

    (ISLA – Instituto Superior de Línguas e Administração)

  • Mário Franco

    (Universidade da Beira Interior)

  • Luis Mendes

    (Universidade da Beira Interior)

Abstract

The analysis of organisational ambidexterity in the small- and medium-sized enterprise context should consider their unique characteristics, including size, internal structure, the low level of use concerning management practices and great capacity to introduce innovative products. Aiming to understand how SMEs’ characteristics influence, or do not influence, organisational ambidexterity, this paper presents an explanatory theoretical model of that relationship. The paper contributes to an innovative systematisation of these firms from a multi-level perspective. This unique approach also advances theory by contributing to clarifying the debate on organisational ambidexterity and identifies important opportunities and directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • José Andrade & Mário Franco & Luis Mendes, 2023. "Facilitating and Inhibiting Effects of Organisational Ambidexterity in SME: an Analysis Centred on SME Characteristics," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(1), pages 35-64, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s13132-021-00831-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-021-00831-9
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