Understanding ambidexterity at the individual level: task assignment perspective

Abstract

While previous studies on ambidexterity have focused on the antecedents or consequences of organizational ambidexterity, not many studies have attempted to explore ambidexterity at the individual level. This study intends to fill such gap and provides arguments on the effects of three different types of task assignment (exploration only, exploitation only, and both exploration and exploitation) on individual performance to understand ambidexterity. We adopted a single-agent simulation model and examined the relationship between the three types of task assignment and individual performance measured by the knowledge creation level. Individual attitude toward risk and tension between exploration and exploitation are considered in our simulation model. The findings suggest that the assignment of the ambidextrous task (both exploration and exploitation) generates the highest individual performance under some conditions, which negates the assumption that individuals find it difficult to handle both exploration and exploitation.