Enabling innovation in the face of uncertainty through IT ambidexterity: A fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis of industrial service SMEs

Combining Structural and Sequential Ambidexterity: A Configurational Approach Using fsQCA

Structural and sequential ambidexterity are proved to be two prevalent approaches in managing tension between exploration and exploitation. Dominant studies have treated the two approaches as mutually exclusive but have provided less insight about their combination, and the organizational configurations that advance such combination, which is a major meaningful gap explored in the current study. This study aims to explore the configurations of organization design choices to combine structural and sequential approaches from a holistic perspective. We apply fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to analyze the empirical data collected from 102 firms in China. The results show that firms attain high ambidexterity with both separated and blended configurations. Blended ones demonstrate that the structural and sequential approaches can be combined in a way that one approach dominates and the other subordinates. Organizational design mechanisms regarding the configurations for combining structural and sequential approaches are concluded as multielements (complements and substitutes) and multilevels (fit and interaction). These findings are also interpreted through the Chinese ‘Yin-Yang’ framework, which introduces ‘Yin-Yang balancing’ into the ambidexterity literature.

HOW APPLICABLE ARE DIGITAL MATURITY MODELS TO SMES?: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND EMPIRICAL VALIDATION APPROACH

The aim of this paper is to investigate the current landscape of digital maturity models for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the capabilities embedded in the models using a semi-systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews. Based on current knowledge, our research provides insights into the gaps in maturity model research for SMEs. Our primary findings show that digital maturity modelling, particular for SMEs, is currently a significant topic across several industries but remains limited by the lack of procedural properties and suitable SME-specific capabilities. This is supported by our literature review and initial interview findings. The paper offers a conceptual framework including defined criteria and essential properties. Furthermore, the paper outlines a transparency approach to empirical validation to increase the rigor of future maturity model research.

The Effect of IS-Innovation Strategy Alignment on Corporate Performance: Investigating the Role of Environmental Uncertainty by Heterogeneity

The study investigates how the alignment at the processing levels between information systems (IS) strategy, through strategy-as-practice approach, and innovation influences corporate performance (CP) under environmental uncertainty from 856 Brazilian firms by PLS-SEM. The results indicated that all approaches of alignment between IS strategy and innovation have strong influences on CP. The alignment with ambidextrous innovation had a 62% higher contribution on CP than alignment between exploitative innovations. Additionally, exploitative innovations had positive effects on CP under high hostility environments; and explorative and ambidextrous innovations had positive large and strong effects on CP under high dynamic environments.

Resolving Strategic Dilemmas in Ambidextrous Organizations: An Integrated Second-Order Factor Model Perspective

Drawing on relevant literature, this study investigates the process of realizing innovation ambidexterity (IA) by proposing a theoretical model and adopting a specifically integrated mechanism with the aim to resolve strategic dilemmas in ambidextrous organizations (AOs). We analyzed a sample of 136 cross-sectional surveys collected from business managers of 132 medium- and high-tech firms in China by employing a structural equation model combined with moderation analysis to test our hypotheses. Our findings indicate that the second-order theoretical model fits the data well and AO, represented by a higher-order construct, positively affects IA. Instead of structural ambidexterity, balanced contextual ambidexterity and radical performance management can be effectively applied as the factors of the second-order construct; the design comprising balanced contextual ambidexterity and performance management is thus helpful in resolving strategic dilemmas. Our findings demonstrate that Chinese firms, as technology latecomers, are more inclined to conduct near-radical innovation. The risk of exploration crowding out exploitation efforts exists in Chinese high-tech firms. Furthermore, we provides greater insights into the moderating impact of intra-organizational practice on IA based on the fact that performance measurement balance (PMB) did not directly influence the achievement of IA and clarifies the positive role that PMB plays in improving IA.

A Configurational Analysis of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ Radical Innovations: The Perspective of Dynamic Capabilities

Adopting a configurational perspective, this study explored the pathways for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to achieve high levels of radical innovation. On the basis of dynamic capabilities theory, six causal conditions for radical innovation were identified at both external and internal levels—that is, environmental turbulence (i.e., technological and market turbulence) and absorptive capacity (i.e., knowledge base, explorative, transformative, and exploitative learning processes). The results of a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) of 82 Chinese SMEs identified four solutions for high radical innovation. The six causal conditions interacted interdependently and different combinations of these conditions were equally effective pathways for SMEs to achieve radical innovation. Hence, SMEs could generate radical innovation through flexibly allocating resources and capabilities based on the environmental circumstances. By using the fsQCA method, this study contributes to the related literature with an investigation of the complex causal relationship between environmental turbulence, absorptive capacity, and SMEs’ radical innovation. The results resolve some prior contradictory findings and provide new insights for future research. Other theoretical contributions, practical implications, and directions for future research are also discussed.

Information Technology Ambidexterity, Digital Dynamic Capability, and Knowledge Processes as Enablers of Patient Agility: Empirical Study

BACKGROUND

There is a limited understanding of information technology's (IT) role as an enabler of patient agility and the department's ability to respond to patients' needs and wishes adequately.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to contribute to the insights of the validity of the hypothesized relationship among IT resources, practices and capabilities, and hospital departments' knowledge processes, and the department's ability to adequately sense and respond to patient needs and wishes (ie, patient agility).

METHODS

This study conveniently sampled data from 107 clinical hospital departments in the Netherlands and used structural equation modeling for model assessment.

RESULTS

IT ambidexterity positively enhanced the development of a digital dynamic capability (β=.69; t4999=13.43; P<.001). Likewise, IT ambidexterity also positively impacted the hospital department's knowledge processes (β=.32; t4999=2.85; P=.005). Both digital dynamic capability (β=.36; t4999=3.95; P<.001) and knowledge processes positively influenced patient agility (β=.33; t4999=3.23; P=.001).

CONCLUSIONS

IT ambidexterity promotes taking advantage of IT resources and experiments to reshape patient services and enhance patient agility.

Investigating the relationship between extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli in the environment and food chains with the presence of this infection in people suspected of septicemia: Using the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis

PROPOSE

Among antibiotic resistance cases, resistance to β-lactam antibiotics is a major concern for the treatment of microbial infections. Furthermore, the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) Escherichia coli (E. coli) in environment, food, and human resources of Iran has increased over the past few years. This study aimed to predict the relationship between the prevalence of ESBL E. coli in the environment and the food chains with the presence of this infection in people suspected of septicemia using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis model.

METHODS

In this analytical cross sectional study samples were collected from the environment (hospital sewage, downstream and upstream urban sewage, and slaughterhouse sewage), food (chicken), and human chains (people suspected of septicemia) in Tehran province, Iran. This study was conducted from September to February 2019 and the prevalence of ESBL E. coli was calculated in each resource. Then, the relationship between the prevalence of ESBL E. coli in the environment and food chains and its prevalence in the human chain was predicted using the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed the prevalence of ESBL E. coli in those suspected of septicemia in September, October, November, December, January and February was 58.1%, 60%, 33.3%, 100%, 43%, and 57.8%, respectively. Also, the results of the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis indicated hospital wastewater and chicken contamination with ESBL E. coli were the main causes of contamination with ESBL E. coli in people suspected of septicemia.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the results of this study, if there is a contamination of hospital wastewater and chickens in an area, it can be claimed that people suspected of septicemia are infected with ESBL E. coli, and the percentage of this contamination can be high. On the other hand, controlling ESBL E. coli in hospital wastewater (environmental chain) and chickens (food chain) can prevent contamination in people with suspected septicemia.

Distributed leadership and exploratory and exploitative innovations: mediating roles of tacit and explicit knowledge sharing and organizational trust

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to highlight the impact of distributed leadership (DL) on exploitative and exploratory innovations through the mediating effects of organizational trust (OT) and tacit and explicit knowledge sharing (KS).

Design/methodology/approach

Focusing on a quantitative approach, an empirical study was performed within a sample of information and communication technology Tunisian firms. The data collected was analyzed through the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method.

Findings

Findings revealed that DL is a driver of tacit and explicit KS, and exploitative and exploratory innovations. It also highlighted that tacit KS is associated with these two types of innovation. In this line, results showed that tacit KS plays a mediating effect between DL and exploitative and exploratory innovations. Moreover, our research highlighted that DL has a positive impact on OT that in turn boosts tacit and explicit KS.

Originality/value

This paper investigates the links between DL and exploitative and exploratory innovations within knowledge intensive firms (KIFs) that have never been studied in the literature within the context of business firms. This paper pioneers the examination of the mediating roles of explicit and tacit KS and OT in these links as well. This paper highlights the importance of DL for KIFs and sheds the light on how this collectivist approach of leadership creates an atmosphere of trust and fosters tacit and explicit KS to boost exploitative and exploratory innovations.

Personality Profiles that Put Users at Risk of Perceiving Technostress

Some information systems research has considered that individual personality traits influence whether users feel stressed by information and communication technologies. Personality research suggests, however, that personality traits do not act individually, but interact interdependently to constitute a personality profile that guides individual perceptions and behavior. The study relies on the differential exposure-reactivity model to investigate which personality profiles of the Big Five personality traits predispose users to perceive techno-stressors. Using a questionnaire, data was collected from 221 users working in different organizations. That data was analyzed using fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis. Based on the results, six different personality profiles that predispose to perceive high techno-stressors are identified. By investigating personality traits in terms of profiles, it is shown that a high and a low level of a personality trait can influence the perception of techno-stressors. The results will allow users and practitioners to identify individuals who are at risk of perceiving techno-stressors based on their personality profile. The post-survey analysis offers starting points for the prevention of perceived techno-stressors and the related negative consequences for specific personality profiles.