TY - JOUR
T1 - Ambidexterity in projects
T2 - An intellectual capital perspective
AU - Turner, Neil
AU - Maylor, Harvey
AU - Swart, Juani
PY - 2015/1
Y1 - 2015/1
N2 - We identify the desirability of simultaneously using knowledge assets both to exploit and explore (ambidexterity) and highlight the significance of this for the project context. We use an intellectual capital perspective and theorise that managing projects draws upon human, social and organisational capital. We examine how this is used by managers, in a qualitative study in technology projects, to explain better how ambidexterity is achieved.Ambidexterity in the use of knowledge assets is shown to exist in the practices of managers but without them necessarily having a conscious strategy for it. We identify the mechanisms by which this happens and note the distinctive role of social capital. We demonstrate the integrative nature of the mechanisms, and how each mechanism can involve the deployment of either single or multiple elements of intellectual capital. In so doing we extend the existing theory to the operational level and demonstrate the utility of this approach.
AB - We identify the desirability of simultaneously using knowledge assets both to exploit and explore (ambidexterity) and highlight the significance of this for the project context. We use an intellectual capital perspective and theorise that managing projects draws upon human, social and organisational capital. We examine how this is used by managers, in a qualitative study in technology projects, to explain better how ambidexterity is achieved.Ambidexterity in the use of knowledge assets is shown to exist in the practices of managers but without them necessarily having a conscious strategy for it. We identify the mechanisms by which this happens and note the distinctive role of social capital. We demonstrate the integrative nature of the mechanisms, and how each mechanism can involve the deployment of either single or multiple elements of intellectual capital. In so doing we extend the existing theory to the operational level and demonstrate the utility of this approach.
KW - Ambidexterity
KW - Exploitation
KW - Exploration
KW - Intellectual capital
KW - Projects
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84912151055&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.05.002
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.05.002
DO - 10.1016/j.ijproman.2014.05.002
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84912151055
VL - 33
SP - 177
EP - 188
JO - International Journal of Project Management
JF - International Journal of Project Management
SN - 0263-7863
IS - 1
ER -