Balancing exploration and exploitation to sustainability: Propositional perspectives on collaborative innovation and performance amid technological uncertainty

Abstract

Innovation management plays a crucial role in fostering competitive advantage, and businesses have made significant strides in this domain. However, enterprises in emerging economies continue to lag behind their counterparts in developed markets regarding innovation capabilities and overall innovation performance. Prior research has underscored the importance of investigating collaborative innovation mechanisms while also highlighting the limitations within the domains of organizational ambidexterity and innovation performance. Drawing upon an integrated literature review on ambidexterity and collaboration in the context of innovation and foundational theoretical frameworks, this study presents a conceptual framework that explores the contribution of ambidextrous behavior to innovation performance within emerging markets. From the perspective of resource-based view and dynamic capability theory, it is posited that ambidextrous behavior influences innovation performance through the mediating role of collaborative innovation. Furthermore, within the framework of situational theory, this research asserts that the impact of collaborative innovation on innovation performance is significantly buffered in environments characterized by high technological uncertainty. Consequently, this study has put forth four key propositions that require further empirical validation. These propositions serve as a foundation for future research, particularly in the context of emerging markets, where empirical evidence remains scarce. In conclusion, this study offers both theoretical and practical contributions by delineating the impact of ambidextrous behaviors on innovation performance through the lens of collaborative innovation, thereby advancing scholarly discourse and informing strategic decision-making. This study seeks to provide valuable insights for managers and policymakers by identifying a spectrum of opportunities, including resource acquisition and time-lagged adjustment and balancing of exploratory and exploitative activities.