Paradoxes Arising From Pursuing Ambidexterity: meta-synthesis approach

The present study was conducted by combining previous research with the aim of providing a comprehensive picture of the paradoxes arising from pursuing ambidexterity as an organizational strategy.

The research methodology is qualitative with a meta- synthesis approach. Exploring studies related to ambidexterity paradoxes, 223 studies were evaluated and finally, after multiple screenings of the studies, 45 articles were selected.

With the help of coding method, 67 codes, 12 concepts and 4 components were identified and validated through Kappa Cohen coefficient. Using seven-step model of Sandelowski and Barroso, the findings of 44 previous studies related to the objectives of the study were reviewed, aggregated, combined and interpreted.

According to the results, paradoxes emerging from pursuing ambidexterity are bundled in four different categories of paradoxes including paradoxes resulted from stakeholders’ interest, paradoxes resulted from control maintenance, paradoxes resulted from resources limitation, paradoxes resulted from innovation system inefficiency.