Open this publication in new window or tab >>2024 (English)Conference paper, Oral presentation only (Refereed)
Abstract [en]
For construction firms to prosper, digital ambidexterity in terms of the organisational capability to both exploit existing digital technologies and explore new ones is found critical. In this regard, research suggests that construction firms must have the ability to employ various mechanisms to achieve digital ambidexterity. However, there is a limited understanding of whether mechanisms and not just their elements can be combined to achieve digital ambidexterity. Therefore, this paper explores this gap with the purpose of investigating how various digital ambidexterity mechanisms coexist and are integrated. Using a qualitative research methodology, this study draws on insights from 36 semi-structured interviews conducted in two large construction projects, complemented by five days of on-site observations and secondary data. The material is analyzed using a systematic grounded theory-inspired approach. In the results, the two cases are juxtaposed, and the unfoldment of the mechanism is outlined over time. It is observed how the main contractor's exploitation efforts in utilizing digital technologies can lead to an exploration effort for subcontractors, which challenges the common assumptions about ambidexterity where exploration is succeeded by exploitation. Additionally, it is shown that the combination of digital ambidexterity mechanisms could vary from parallel existence to integration, with the potential for synergy. In conclusion, this research highlights the multifaceted nature of digital ambidexterity in construction projects and broadens the understanding of how digital ambidexterity unfolds in an inter-organisational setting. Through that, the finding provides construction project actors with valuable insights for improved digital strategy formulation.
Keywords
Digital ambidexterity, Construction firm, Mechanisms, Digital technologies, Dual case study
National Category
Business Administration
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-225665 (URN)
Conference
The 12th Nordic Conference on Construction Economics and Organisation, CREON, Trondheim, Norway, 30–31 May, 2024
2024-06-052024-06-052024-06-10Bibliographically approved