Exploration of ambidexterity among SMEs in the Dutch Maritime sector

How SMEs align exploitation of existing products and pursue exploration of product innovations

Master thesis (2018)

Authors

M. Dubbeld Technology, Policy and Management

Contributors

V.E. Scholten (supervisor 1)
Ron van Duin (supervisor 2)
Cees van Beers (supervisor 1)
Faculty
Technology, Policy and Management
Copyright: © 2018 Maarten Dubbeld
Exploration SMEs Exploitation Absorptive Capacity Top Management Team Ambidexterity
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

25-06-2018

Language

English

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Faculty

Technology, Policy and Management

Abstract

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) tend to focus upon short-term profit in a crisis period, however the EU advised SMEs’ to invest in innovation and quality of products. How SMEs balance between these two contradicting strategies is seldom addressed. Therefore, this study explores how SMEs align their organization upon short term exploitation of current products and explore long term product innovations simultaneously.
The results of this multiple case study research identify Exploitative activities are supported by commonality among organizational goals and Exploration requires investment in knowledge sharing. A moderating effect upon exploitation and exploration, as identified in literature about Organizational Ambidexterity, is also identified among SMEs.