Unpacking Ambidexterity At The Individual Level

Abstract

Previous research in the ambidexterity literature at the individual level focuses on finding characteristics of ambidextrous individuals. In this dissertation, I extend the current literature by suggesting a new way of conceptualizing ambidexterity using work experience theory and by operationalizing ambidexterity at the individual level using past work experience. I develop hypotheses about the outcomes of ambidextrous individuals that I test using data from the R&D centers of a multidivisional electronics firm. The results indicate that the assignment of both exploration and exploitation to individuals has a positive effect on individual performance.