Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

The role of individual ambidexterity on organizational performance

Journal:: مدیریت بهره وری
Year:: 2025
Authors:: Zahra Rajaei et al.
Affiliation:: Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran · IR

Abstract

The performance of the veterinary organization, due to its connection with ensuring the health of animal products and the country's health system, has a vital role in achieving the goals of sustainable development. Additionally, the existence of economic sanctions and the spread of some animal diseases have added to the importance of the performance of the veterinary organization. In this regard, one the factors affecting the performance of the veterinary organization is the discovery and utilization of previous experiences and the accumulation of knowledge in different layers of the organization due to the existence of specialized and skilled human resources. Moreover, the individual ambidexterity is a new concept in management that organizational performance is related. Hence, in the present study, the role of organizational performance, mediated by knowledge accumulation, has been investigated. Individual ambidexterity is a new concept in management that is related to organizational performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of individual ambidexterity on organizational performance. The statistical population of the study were all veterinary staff of South Khorasan province including 190 staff. Based on the Morgan table, the sample size was estimated to be 125 staff members. For data collection, three standard questionnaires of individual ambidexterity, knowledge accumulation and organizational performance of Schnellbächer and Heidenreich (2020) were used. The documented specific indicators for evaluating the performance of the veterinary organization were included in the questionnaire of overall organization performance. For analyzing the data, SPSS and PLS software were used. The results of data analysis showed that individual ambidexterity has a significant effect on knowledge accumulation (with a path coefficient of 0.369), knowledge accumulation on the overall performance of the organization (with a path coefficient of 0.589), individual ambidexterity on the overall performance of the organization (with a path coefficient of 0.209). The results also showed that the variable of knowledge accumulation plays a mediating role in the effect of individual ambidexterity on the overall performance of the veterinary organization and individual ambidexterity has a significant effect on organizational performance with the mediator role of knowledge accumulation. Therefore, in order to enhance organizational performance, special attention should be given to individual ambidexterity, encouraging knowledge seeking and knowledge exploitation. Key Words: individual ambidexterity, knowledge accumulation, organizational performance, veterinary organization 1.Introduction Ambidexterity is a novel concept in management that is crucial for organizational survival and company performance, becoming increasingly important for gaining sustainable competitive advantage and optimizing performance. For survival, growth, performance improvement, innovation, and competitiveness in today’s dynamic environment, organizations require individual ambidexterity and skilled human resources. Ambidexterity, which is argued to be essential for company performance and competitive advantage, has become a popular topic in management research (Junni et al., 2013). Knowledge accumulation, which means meeting organizational expectations in terms of learning, expertise, generating new ideas, and improving skills and capabilities, impacts organizational performance (Benedict & Sven, 2020). Overall organizational performance is a multidimensional concept focused on the organization’s position relative to competitors (Lopez & Mero, 2011) and refers to the manner in which organizational tasks and activities are conducted and the outcomes thereof, representing the achievement of organizational goals (Haghighi et al., 2009). Extensive research shows a positive relationship between knowledge accumulation and performance (DeCarolis & Deeds, 1999; Melville et al., 2004). The performance of the Veterinary Organization is vital due to its role in ensuring the safety of animal products, livestock, and strengthening the health system in achieving sustainable development goals, a role heightened by economic sanctions and the outbreak of certain animal diseases. Therefore, examining the factors influencing the organization's performance, exploring and utilizing past experiences, and incorporating up-to-date knowledge across various organizational levels, especially given the presence of skilled and specialized human resources, is essential. This study examines the role of individual ambidexterity in organizational performance with the mediating role of knowledge accumulation. <ol style="text-align: left;" start="2"> <li>Literature Review</li> </ol>  Organizational performance is a multidimensional concept that focuses on the organization's position relative to its competitors (Lopez & Mero, 2011). It refers to how organizational tasks and activities are performed and the results derived from them, which means achieving organizational goals (Haghighi et al., 2009). The key to continuous improvement lies in the ability to constantly evaluate and measure organizational performance (Shaemi et al., 2011). Organizations need to adapt to continuous internal and external changes to enhance their performance and ensure survival. The concept of ambidexterity is a way to manage and adapt organizations to environmental changes. Ambidexterity was first introduced to business literature by Duncan (1976). It refers to the organization's ability to simultaneously engage in exploration and exploitation activities (Birkinshaw & Gupta, 2013). Exploration refers to organizational activities that involve searching, discovering, creating new knowledge, and experimenting with new opportunities. Exploitation encompasses activities related to selecting, implementing, improving, and refining existing knowledge (Palm & Lilja, 2017). Recent studies have shifted their focus from exploration and exploitation at the organizational level to the individual level to understand the micro-level psychological foundations of individual ambidexterity. Organizations need individual and human resource ambidexterity to survive, grow, improve performance, innovate, and remain competitive in today’s dynamic environment. Ambidexterity is crucial for organizational performance and leads to gaining a competitive advantage, becoming an increasingly popular topic in management research (Junni et al., 2013). Moreover, ambidextrous knowledge-seeking and knowledge accumulation are influential variables on organizational performance. Empirical evidence shows that they can generate new knowledge and consequently improve innovation to increase performance. Extensive research has demonstrated a positive correlation between knowledge accumulation and performance (D'Carolis & Deeds, 1999; Melville et al., 2004). For example, Schellenbach and Heidenreich (2020) examined the positive effects of individual ambidexterity on organizational performance. Papachroni and Heracleous (2020), in their article on ambidexterity as a practice, concluded that individual ambidexterity can be achieved through paradoxical practices, including engaging in combined tasks and responsibilities, cumulatively investing in previous learning, and utilizing a mindset that seeks synergy between the conflicting needs of exploration and exploitation. Furthermore, Vahdati et al. (2022) in their article on developing a model for organizational ambidexterity in Bank Tejarat of Esfahan province, using a combined approach of grounded theory and fuzzy Delphi, concluded that human resource indicators of the organizational ambidexterity model, which primarily refer to organizational and individual culture, indicate the influential role of individuals' and the organization's inner traits in implementing a new concept. <ol style="text-align: left;" start="3"> <li>Methodology</li> </ol> The present study is descriptive-causal, survey-based, cross-sectional, quantitative, positivist, and applied in nature. The statistical population consists of the employees of the Veterinary Organization in South Khorasan Province (190 individuals), with a research sample of 125 selected randomly based on Morgan's table. The data was collected using three questionnaires on individual ambidexterity, knowledge accumulation, and overall organizational performance, adapted from Schellenbach and Heidenreich’s (2020) questionnaire, including specific indices for evaluating the Veterinary Organization's performance. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling with SPSS and PLS software. <ol style="text-align: left;" start="4"> <li>Result</li> </ol> Of the 125 participants, 95 were men (76%) and 30 were women (24%), with the most common range of work experience being 15-20 years (30.8%), followed by 11-15 years (26.7%). The distribution of the data for all three variables was non-normal, requiring appropriate methods for analysis. The significance levels for ambidexterity, knowledge accumulation, and overall organizational performance were less than 0.05, indicating non-normality of the three variables, leading to the use of Spearman's correlation coefficient. Cronbach’s alpha for all variables exceeded 0.7, confirming reliability. The composite reliability coefficient for all variables also exceeded 0.7, confirming their reliability. The data analysis showed that individual ambidexterity significantly affects knowledge accumulation (with a path coefficient of 0.369), knowledge accumulation significantly impacts overall organizational performance (with a path coefficient of 0.589), and ambidexterity significantly affects overall organizational performance (with a path coefficient of 0.209). Knowledge accumulation plays a mediating role in the impact of ambidexterity on the overall performance of the Veterinary Organization. <ol style="text-align: left;" start="5"> <li>Discussion</li> </ol> Ambidexterity has a positive and significant impact on organizational performance through the mediating role of knowledge accumulation. This study contributes to the enrichment of resources on individual ambidexterity with an emphasis on performance improvement features. Based on the findings of the present study, practical and research suggestions are provided, including a special focus on individual ambidexterity and knowledge seeking and exploration to enhance organizational performance.

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