Integrated exploratory factor analysis and Data Envelopment Analysis to evaluate balanced ambidexterity fostering innovation in manufacturing SMEs

Multilevel view to strategic change and ambidexterity has received momentum in strategic management. However, previous literature has rarely addressed the strategic aspects of ambidexterity or its decision making pattern in SMEs. Secondly, there is conceptual ambiguity on the concept of the balance dimension of ambidexterity. This study has used a mixed method of research on a sample of Iranian manufacturing SMEs. At the first step, this study used quantitative data to test the proposed model with hierarchical regression analysis. In the second phase, Data Envelope Analysis (DEA) was used to identify the best practices of the proposed model for conducting the interview. In the last stage of the study, qualitative data was collected through semi structured interview, which helped the researchers to do an in depth analysis on optimal composition of ambidexterity. Result from quantitative data has approved the moderating effect of ambidextrous learning on flexibility. The result from DEA and qualitative data analysis has shown the exploitative dominant balanced ambidexterity as the optimal composition of strategies in SMEs. (C) 2020 College of Management, National Cheng Kung University. Production and hosting by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.