Contextual Ambidexterity and Its Temporal Nature in Internationalization of New Technology

Abstract

In this paper we elaborate the notion of contextual ambidexterity in the context of internationalizing new and innovative technology. Specifically, we argue for the importance of incorporating the temporal dimension into the discussion of contextual ambidexterity; facilitating contextual ambidexterity is not a static phenomenon but varies over time. We illustrate this argument with a longitudinal case study of a Finnish oil company Neste Oil, which expanded to Central Europe and Asia in a new technological area, renewable diesel. In order to manage this, the firm established an organization unit called Technology Office. The study illustrate how Technology Office facilitated contextual ambidexterity during internationalization of the new technology and how the emphasis between facilitating alignment and adaptability changed over time. The paper concludes with a preliminary framework on temporal contextual ambidexterity.