Ambidextrous leadership, entrepreneurial orientation, and operational performance

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of ambidextrous leadership in fostering entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and operational performance. The research also seeks an insight into the moderating role that organizational social capital (OSC) plays on the relationship between ambidextrous leadership and EO.Design/methodology/approachThe responses to the questionnaire survey were collected from 427 managers from software companies in Vietnam business context.FindingsThe data analysis verified the positive effect of ambidextrous leadership on EO, which was positively moderated by OSC. The research results also shed light on the predictive role of EO for the organization’s operational performance.Originality/valueThis research contributes to literature through identifying the convergence of entrepreneurship and operations management research streams, and the moderation role of OSC for the ambidextrous leadership-EO relationship.