Msc Strategic Management
MASTER THESIS
AMBIDEXTERITY AND PERFORMANCE AT BUSINESS UNIT LEVEL:
A COGNITIVE AND RELATIONAL SOCIAL CAPITAL PERSPECTIVE
MAARTEN VAN BRUSSEL
Exam number: XXX
Program: MSc in Business Administration - Strategic Management
RSM Erasmus University
Tel: XXX e-mail: mlmvanbrussel@XXX
Master Thesis Coach:
Raymond van Wijk
RSM Erasmus University
First Co-reader:
Michaéla Schippers
RSM Erasmus University
March 2009
PREFACE
Declarations
The author declares that the text and work presented in this Master thesis is original and that no sources other than those mentioned in the text and its references have been used in creating the Master thesis.
The copyright of the Master thesis rests with the author. The author is responsible for its contents. RSM Erasmus University is only responsible for the educational coaching and beyond that cannot be held responsible for the content.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Raymond van Wijk, Bert Flier, and Justin Jansen for their inspirational lectures and papers forming the basis for my thesis and new found interests; Raymond van
Wijk and Michaéla Schippers for thoughtful discussion and feedback during the process of writing this thesis; the managers responding to my survey for enabling thesis testing; my parents, sister, and brother for their enduring and limitless support and patience; and XXX for her support, love, and understanding. Your valuable contributions enabled the writing of this paper. XXX, March 2009
Maarten van Brussel
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4
INTRODUCTION
6
THEORY AND HYPOTHESES
8
Ambidexterity
8
Exploration and exploitation
9
Designing ambidexterity
9
Social Capital and Ambidexterity
10
Cognitive social capital
11
Shared culture and systems
11
Shared vision
12
Relational social capital
13
Trust
13
Tie strength
14
Ambidexterity and Unit Performance
METHODS
16
AMBIDEXTERITY AND PERFORMANCE AT BUSINESS UNIT LEVEL:
A COGNITIVE AND RELATIONAL SOCIAL CAPITAL PERSPECTIVE
MAARTEN VAN BRUSSEL
Exam number: XXX
Program: MSc in Business Administration - Strategic Management
RSM Erasmus University
Tel: XXX e-mail: mlmvanbrussel@XXX
Master Thesis Coach:
Raymond van Wijk
RSM Erasmus University
First Co-reader:
Michaéla Schippers
RSM Erasmus University
March 2009
PREFACE
Declarations
The author declares that the text and work presented in this Master thesis is original and that no sources other than those mentioned in the text and its references have been used in creating the Master thesis.
The copyright of the Master thesis rests with the author. The author is responsible for its contents. RSM Erasmus University is only responsible for the educational coaching and beyond that cannot be held responsible for the content.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Raymond van Wijk, Bert Flier, and Justin Jansen for their inspirational lectures and papers forming the basis for my thesis and new found interests; Raymond van
Wijk and Michaéla Schippers for thoughtful discussion and feedback during the process of writing this thesis; the managers responding to my survey for enabling thesis testing; my parents, sister, and brother for their enduring and limitless support and patience; and XXX for her support, love, and understanding. Your valuable contributions enabled the writing of this paper. XXX, March 2009
Maarten van Brussel
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4
INTRODUCTION
6
THEORY AND HYPOTHESES
8
Ambidexterity
8
Exploration and exploitation
9
Designing ambidexterity
9
Social Capital and Ambidexterity
10
Cognitive social capital
11
Shared culture and systems
11
Shared vision
12
Relational social capital
13
Trust
13
Tie strength
14
Ambidexterity and Unit Performance
METHODS
16