Examining desorptive capacity in supply chains: the role of organizational ambidexterity
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
ISSN: 0144-3577
Article publication date: 5 February 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explain how a buying organization’s desorptive capacity relative to its supply network enhances the organization’s supply chain competence. The research also analyzes the contingent role of the balanced and combined dimensions of ambidexterity in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Empirical results are obtained through analysis of survey data from a sample of 270 European firms. Hierarchical regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results confirm, first, the positive and significant relationship between the buying organization’s desorptive capacity and supply chain competence; and, second, the key moderating role of organizational ambidexterity, especially in its combined dimension, in this relationship.
Practical implications
The study suggests that desorptive capacity is key to the organization’s contribution to supply chain competitiveness. The authors also provide practitioners with better understanding of the extent to which they should attempt to balance exploration and exploitation or/and to maximize both simultaneously when seeking greater benefit from desorptive capacity.
Originality/value
This study extends desorptive capacity research to supply chain management. It responds to calls in the desorptive capacity literature for deeper understanding of the benefits of desorptive capacity and of the role organizational ambidexterity plays in the success of desorptive capacity. By analyzing the independent effects of the combined and balanced dimensions of ambidexterity, the authors advance conceptual and operational understanding of the role of ambidexterity needed in the literature.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (project I+D ECO2010-15885) and (project I+D ECO2013-47027-P); the Regional Government of Andalusia (project I+D P11-SEJ-7294); and the European Union under FEDER funds.
Citation
Roldán Bravo, M.I., Ruiz-Moreno, A. and Lloréns Montes, F.J. (2018), "Examining desorptive capacity in supply chains: the role of organizational ambidexterity", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 38 No. 2, pp. 534-553. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-12-2016-0751
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited