The influence of macro and micro environmental factors on bamboo-based SMEs’ organizational learning ambidexterity

This study examines the impact of macro and micro environmental factors on the organizational learning ambidexterity of bamboo-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in West Java, Indonesia. Using the political, economic, social, technological, ecological, and legal (PESTEL) framework and Porter’s Five Forces, semistructured interviews with seven SMEs revealed that government policies, technological advancements, supplier dynamics, and customer demands shaped their strategic learning responses. The findings identify a cyclical organizational learning ambidexterity model characterized by sequential shifts between innovation and operational optimization in SMEs. Two novel subtypes emerged: upper-cyclical ambidexterity, which addresses macro-level challenges, and lower-cyclical ambidexterity, which manages localized pressure. This study advances the theoretical understanding of cyclical ambidexterity, offers policy recommendations to support SME development through capacity building, financial incentives, and sustainable resource management, and provides practical applications for SME leaders to enhance innovation, efficiency, and strategic flexibility. These insights strengthen SME competitiveness, support global expansion, and guide managers and policy makers in fostering sustainability within the bamboo industry.