Do board of directors’ roles and composition promote exploitative and exploratory innovations? Evidence from Tunisian listed firms

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of Board of Directors' (BD') roles and composition on exploratory, exploitative and ambidextrous innovations. A quantitative research was operated on Tunisian listed companies. Semi-structured interviews were also realised with directors of these firms to discuss the findings. Results of the multiple regression analysis conducted indicate that BD' service role positively influences exploratory, exploitative and ambidextrous innovations. These types of innovation are negatively linked to BD' control role and not significantly associated with BD' strategy role, board independence and gender diversity. This paper sheds light on an innovative and unexplored topic in the literature, as prior studies focused on the effect of BD on innovation rather than on innovation types or even on ambidextrous innovation. This study provides interesting insights for firms that seek to improve their corporate governance. It highlights the BD' key attributes that firms must focus on to innovate.