ORGANIZATIONAL AMBIDEXTERITY IN SMES IN TURKEY: COMBINATION OF CONFLICTING ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the level of organizational ambidexterity in terms of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and to detect how many SMEs are involved in the ambidextrous group in Turkey. Data was collected with using convenience sampling method from managers working in different sectors in Turkey. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 21.0.  Findings revealed that approximately 50% of SMEs (298 enterprises) are the high-level ambidexterity.  Ambidexterity means to an organization’s ability to pursue both exploitative and exploratory orientation. Ambidextrous organizations can use exploitative and exploratory strategies concurrently. Accordingly, in today's business world where change, environmental uncertainty, and sustainable competitive advantage are important, organizational ambidexterity provides organizations adaptability capabilities. Also, this study provides theoretical and practical implications for further research. 

Keywords

• Organizational ambidexterity,exploitation,exploration,clustering analysis,SMEs

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