Swarup Kumar Dutta and Saurav Snehvrat
The purpose of this paper is to explore the multi-level ambidexterity challenges through the metaroutine lens. Further, while confronting the ambidexterity challenges, it is found…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the multi-level ambidexterity challenges through the metaroutine lens. Further, while confronting the ambidexterity challenges, it is found that what is paradox at one level can be understood as tradeoffs at another level. This study uses an in-depth multi-level case study of Tata Motors, an Indian automotive giant highlighting the ambidexterity dynamics across strategic, business unit and functional levels to demonstrate that paradoxes at the strategic level are converted to manageable tradeoffs at the business unit/ operational level. Also, metaroutine-enabled ambidexterity explains a possible way through which multi-level ambidexterity can be promoted and managed within organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a case-based methodology (Eisenhardt, 1989) similar to the approach of Adler et al. (1999). The field research consisted of in-depth interviews, which focus on gathering information from the key involved members in the field, thus enabling us to understand how multi-level ambidexterity is promoted within Tata Motors. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data for this study.
Findings
The metaroutine lens offers an alternative route to explain the multi-level ambidexterity dynamics at Tata Motors. The ambidexterity questions at different levels in Tata Motors seem to be a mixture of paradoxes and tradeoffs. However, a key trend emerges. At the strategic and business unit level, the firm wanted to exploit their existing products and explore new customer segments. At the product level, the strategic and NPI core team wanted to best combine the customer centric explorations with exploitations resulting in cost savings. The ambidexterity questions at these two levels seem to be paradoxes. However, as the authors analyze the functional domains, it appears that each individual domain was working under increased constraints. Hence, the ambidexterity questions at the domain level seem to be a tradeoff based on the constraints faced by individual functional domains.
Originality/value
This study presents an in-depth multi-level case study of an Indian automotive giant, Tata Motors. The authors present the role of metaroutines in shaping the ambidexterity issues during the development of passenger vehicles. This study builds on the seminal work of Adler et al., 1999, and extends the discussion to the framing of the ambidexterity question as a paradox and/or a tradeoff. The core argument of this paper is that balancing opposite polarities in business models is basically a paradoxical issue in the exploitation/ exploration relationship.
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Saurav Snehvrat and Swarup Kumar Dutta
How much should existing firms explore while venturing into new businesses? This study builds an organizational learning-based model for corporate entrepreneurship by applying and…
Abstract
Purpose
How much should existing firms explore while venturing into new businesses? This study builds an organizational learning-based model for corporate entrepreneurship by applying and extending the seminal March (1991) simulation model. This paper aims to analyze the impact of the exploitation-exploration mix (commonality) on organizational knowledge across the short- and long-term.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a two-stage stochastic simulation approach to model adaptive processes related to learning within organizations. In Stage 1, an organization with no initial knowledge is allowed to achieve equilibrium against the realities associated with the first business. In Stage 2, a new reality is introduced, corresponding to the new business. The new corporate venture is, then, allowed to achieve a new equilibrium knowledge by varying commonality across time.
Findings
The findings suggest that, in the long term, increasing exploitation builds optimal knowledge only when the new and old businesses are very similar. Organizations where employees learn slowly from the organization (low socialization rate) while the organization learns fast from employees (high organizational learning rate) generate optimal steady-state organization knowledge. However, firms face a temporal dilemma. In the short term, firms with low socialization rates and high organizational learning rates fare worse than other configurations.
Research limitations/implications
Corporate entrepreneurship efforts encompass various conflicts between knowledge sharing and temporality. These conflicts are especially important in technology-driven industries and firms. The study adds a detailed understanding regarding various learning configurations using which firms can respond to new business opportunities and their impact (across time) on knowledge.
Practical implications
The study provides important inputs to managers and academics, alike, on the tricky nature of managing and maximizing corporate entrepreneurship efforts in knowledge-intensive and technology industries. This paper isolates specific firm knowledge-based dilemmas on the optimal approach toward corporate entrepreneurship ventures over time and commonality.
Originality/value
The study extends March’s seminal 1991 study on a single business to corporate entrepreneurship settings using a set of stochastic simulations. In doing so, the study adds to the corporate entrepreneurship as well as knowledge management literatures. This paper explores various scenarios emerging from time, organizational code commonality and match between business realities and arrive at optimal knowledge configurations for each scenario.
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Amit Kumar and Swarup Kumar Dutta
The purpose of this paper is to understand how firms affiliated to business groups (BGs) are able to improve their innovation capability (IC) when engaged in coopetition…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand how firms affiliated to business groups (BGs) are able to improve their innovation capability (IC) when engaged in coopetition (collaboration between competing firms). This study aims to explore the relationship between coopetitive relationship strength (CRS), the extent of tacit knowledge transfer (TKT) and IC as well as examine the moderating effect of both BG affiliation and coopetitive experience.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper examines inter-firm relationships within the empirical context of Indian manufacturing and service firms, by adopting (ordinary least square) regression analysis to test the various hypotheses. The central thesis is that the TKT in coopetition constitutes an important driver to the IC.
Findings
The paper provides some evidence that inter-firm CRS influences the extent of TKT, and the extent of TKT affects firm IC. The results support that firms in coopetition gain more if their coopetitive partner has a BG affiliation. In absence of a BG affiliation of any of the coopetitive partners, the buildup of TKT reduces as CRS is increased.
Research limitations/implications
Additional large-sample of data may attempt to validate relationships. The study, however, did not consider all enablers that are critical for TKT. Despite these limitations, analysis provides important and novel perspectives.
Practical implications
The paper contributes to develop executives’ practices in understanding potential benefits of coopetitive relationship. The implications of this research are important for managers seeking understanding of the management of coopetition.
Originality/value
The paper makes a modest attempt to investigate the various scenarios of the presence or absence of the moderation of BGs and its impact on CRS in the buildup of TKT. This is the first attempt to link coopetition to the TKT in the BG literature. This study also contributes to our understanding of coopetition in a non-western context.
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Saurav Snehvrat, Amit Kumar, Rahul Kumar and Swarup Dutta
The academic discipline of ambidexterity is recognized as an established field within strategic management and organization theory. Extant works in the field recognize the recent…
Abstract
Purpose
The academic discipline of ambidexterity is recognized as an established field within strategic management and organization theory. Extant works in the field recognize the recent burgeoning academic emphasis on ambidexterity and suggest either an impending focus or a decline of the field. Although there have been attempts to review the field of ambidexterity, most of these reviews have not followed a systematic and scientific approach for extricating the key themes emerging within. The purpose of the study is to inductively and systematically capture the main elements constituting the current boundary of the field.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve the stated purpose, this study uses data/text mining to analyze abstracts of scholarly ambidexterity papers published over the past two decades (1997-2016) in academic journals. Using text-mining, lexical analysis is performed to compute the frequency distribution of words. The frequently occurring words are studied in detail and their association with ambidexterity is also studied by means of co-relation. This analysis (used for generation of first order themes) is then complemented by a manual analysis of each first order theme to come up with trends and sub-themes lying within.
Findings
The analysis extracts eight distinct themes that indicate the current boundary of ambidexterity research. The findings highlight the potential areas for future academic attention such as networks, business models, leadership, dynamic capability and their inter-linkages with the field of ambidexterity. Overall, the field of ambidexterity is receiving heightened academic interest coupled with a dynamic proliferation across a host of related management fields. Apart from the required future consolidation, the field also needs new insights to enhance its explanatory power.
Research limitations/implications
This study analyzes abstracts of 504 works on ambidexterity (in the last two decades) to inductively indicate the current boundaries of the field using a data/text mining approach. Papers that do not explicitly mention ambidexterity in their abstracts, title or keywords are not included in the analysis.
Practical implications
The insights of the analysis will not only help researchers but also offer practitioners a good view point about the myriad of paths (not restricted to contextual, structural and temporal) through which ambidexterity can be promoted within and at the organization level.
Originality/value
The three-fold contribution of this study is a systematic and scientific approach adopted to define the current boundary of the field of ambidexterity, followed by an exploration of a set of eight distinct themes and finally the identification of ongoing debates, research gaps and future research questions in light of the analysis performed.
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Kaustav Saha, Rohit Kumar, Swarup Kumar Dutta and Preeti Tiwari
This study aims to examine the Lumpkin and Dess (1996) conceptualization of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in an emerging economy, focusing on India. It ascertains the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the Lumpkin and Dess (1996) conceptualization of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in an emerging economy, focusing on India. It ascertains the dimensions of EO that are valuable in securing superior firm performance in emerging economies, which might differ from a developed market setting. It further examines the difference in the significance of dimensions between the manufacturing and services industry.
Design/methodology/approach
A novel primary data set consisting of responses from 228 new ventures incorporated in India was created through an online questionnaire survey following the tailored design method principles. A disaggregated approach was adopted and the data were analyzed using multiple regression in SPSS 21.
Findings
Among the dimensions of EO, competitive aggressiveness positively affected new venture performance, whereas proactiveness did not show any effect. Autonomy also exhibited a positive impact, except for new venture growth in manufacturing firms. Innovativeness exhibited partial support, only for the effectiveness of service firms. Risking-taking exhibited a negative effect on performance, particularly for manufacturing firms.
Practical implications
The findings guide entrepreneurs and managers operating their new ventures in emerging economies by suggesting the dimensions that are most likely to benefit firm performance and those that might be detrimental.
Originality/value
This study empirically validates the multidimensional conceptualization of EO in India and extends previous studies, which have typically focused on an aggregated EO scale. This study’s findings attest that the manifestation of EO in emerging economies might be different compared to mature economies. The contrast between the manufacturing and service sectors is also shown.
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Saurav Snehvrat and Swarup Dutta
The purpose of this paper is to explore the multi-faceted role of metaroutines in dealing with nested ambidexterity challenges experienced during new product introductions (NPIs…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the multi-faceted role of metaroutines in dealing with nested ambidexterity challenges experienced during new product introductions (NPIs) at Tata Motors, an Indian automotive giant.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilizes an in-depth multi-level case study highlighting the ambidexterity dynamics across strategic, business unit and functional levels.
Findings
The authors visualize the NPI system found in the firm, including the interactions between structure, process and governance, as a metaroutine. Based on this visualization, the authors argue that certain ostensive (like voice of customer, commonality) and performative (role of leadership and creative recombination) aspects of the metaroutine aid exploratory and exploitative learning across levels at Tata Motors. Further, the authors argue that the role of embedded NPI metaroutine aspects in promoting multi-level ambidexterity offers a distinct form when compared with other academically established forms of structural, contextual and temporal ambidexterity.
Practical implications
This study focuses on the aspects of the NPI metaroutine that enable ambidexterity within the studied firm. The authors argue that apart from the structural, temporal and contextual mechanisms, managers also need to focus on the nuances of NPI metaroutines and their potential to promote ambidexterity across levels.
Originality/value
The authors visualize the interactions between the process, structure and governance mechanisms, related to NPI, as a metaroutine. The authors argue that metaroutine enabled approaches to ambidexterity offer a distinct form when compared with other academically established forms of structural, contextual and temporal ambidexterity. Also, metaroutine enabled ambidexterity explains a possible way through which multi-level ambidexterity can be promoted and managed within organizations.
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Mohak Malhotra, Amarpreet Singh Ghura and Barun Thakur
Discussion of the case will enable the students to: ● use “Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats” analysis. ● Use “pros and cons” analysis. ● Explain what constitutes…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
Discussion of the case will enable the students to: ● use “Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats” analysis. ● Use “pros and cons” analysis. ● Explain what constitutes an effective strategy. ● Analyze the quality of the strategy for IndiGo Airlines (IA). ● Explain sustained competitive advantage through value, rareness, imitability and organization framework.
Case overview/synopsis
This case describes a situation in which InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. (IGAL) has been experiencing multiple engine snags because of the faulty Pratt and Whitney engines. In a span of two years between June 2018 and January 2020, IGAL faced around 22 snags. IGAL is known to be one of the safest airlines in the world, the engine issue has tainted its reputation. In October 2019, in just one week IA faced four-engine snags, forcing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to come out with a guideline in November 2019. The faulty engines were to be replaced by January 31, 2020. If IA failed to complete the task by the given deadline then IA would have to ground around 70–80 aircraft. IA was way behind the deadline when on January 13, 2020, they received an email from DGCA mentioning an extension of the deadline to May 31, 2020. The purpose of this case is to provide an opportunity for the participants to take into consideration the data given for IA and make assumptions and resolve the dilemma through which Ronojoy Dutta (Dutta), the Chief executive officer if IA is going through.
Complexity academic level
The case engages the participants in deciding a suitable course of action for IA to develop a strategy and is ideal to teach elements of strategy. The case can be used in the following courses/programs: ● A strategy formulation module in strategic management program or post-graduate program in management.
Supplementary materials
Teaching Notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS 11: Strategy.
Supplementary materials
Teaching Notes are available for educators only.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine political accountability to the voter in India by studying re-election patterns in 14 major states categorized as leading and lagging…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine political accountability to the voter in India by studying re-election patterns in 14 major states categorized as leading and lagging during the period 1952–2015.
Design/methodology/approach
This study has computed a state-wise re-election index by taking the ratio of the number of constituencies exhibiting re-election in four consecutive terms during 1952–1999 to the total number of constituencies in the state. The time-invariant re-election index as of the year 1999 is used to estimate the impact of the re-election on per capita state income during 2001–2015. This paper has used the correlated random effects estimation procedure that considers the state-specific unobserved factors while using a time-invariant regressor to ascertain the impact of re-election.
Findings
This study finds that persistent re-election does not seem to lead to better development outcomes. When this study computes the re-election index by excluding constituencies that are underdeveloped both in the economic and social spheres, this paper finds the asymmetric impact of re-election for the leading and the lagging states. The findings suggest that historical institutions in the laggings states could be driving the empirical results. The empirical findings are corroborated by the relatively poor availability of basic amenities in constituencies exhibiting persistent re-election when compared to the state average.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that the provision of re-election without term limits may need to be revisited in the lagging states for better political accountability.
Originality/value
First, the authors study the pattern of constituency-wise re-election to compute state-wise re-election index to capture persistent re-election. Second, the authors assess the development status of a constituency by mapping it to the development indicators of the district in which the constituency is located. This paper considers both economic as well social indicators of development. Third, the time-invariant nature of the re-election index helps to address reverse causality while studying the impact of re-election on development. Fourth, the authors use a novel econometric methodology to study the impact of the re-election on development given the time-invariant characteristic of the re-election index.
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Biswajit Paul, Raktim Ghosh, Ashish Kumar Sana, Bhaskar Bagchi, Priyajit Kumar Ghosh and Swarup Saha
This study empirically investigates the interdependency of select Asian emerging economies along with the financial stress index during the times of the global financial crisis…
Abstract
Purpose
This study empirically investigates the interdependency of select Asian emerging economies along with the financial stress index during the times of the global financial crisis, the Euro crisis and the COVID-19 period. Moreover, it inspects the long-memory effects of the different crises during the study period.
Design/methodology/approach
To address the objectives of the study, the authors apply different statistical tools, namely the adjusted correlation coefficient, fractionally integrated generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (FIGARCH) model and wavelet coherence model, along with descriptive statistics.
Findings
Financial stress is having a prodigious effect on the economic growth of select economies. From the data analysis, it is found that the long-memory effect is noted in the gross domestic product (GDP) for India and Korea only, which implies that the volatility in the GDP series for these two nations demonstrates persistence and dependency on previous values over a lengthy period.
Originality/value
The study is unique of its kind to consider multi-segments within the period of the study to get a clear idea about the effects of the financial stress index on select Asian emerging economies by applying different econometric tools.
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K. Pandiarajan and C.K. Babulal
The electric power system is a complex system, whose operating condition may not remain at a constant value. The various contingencies like outage of lines, transformers…
Abstract
Purpose
The electric power system is a complex system, whose operating condition may not remain at a constant value. The various contingencies like outage of lines, transformers, generators and sudden increase of load demand or failure of equipments are more common. This causes overloads and system parameters to exceed the limits thus resulting in an insecure system. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the power system security by alleviating overloads on the transmission lines.
Design/methodology/approach
Fuzzy logic system (FLS) with particle swarm optimization based optimal power flow approach is used for overload alleviation on the transmission lines. FLS is modeled to find the changes in inertia weight by which new weights are determined and their values are applied to particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for velocity and position updation.
Findings
The proposed method is tested and examined on the standard IEEE-30 bus system under base case and increased load conditions at different contingency. This method gives better results in terms of optimum fuel cost and fast convergence under base case and could alleviate the line overloads at different contingency with optimum generation cost, when compared to adaptive particle swarm optimization (APSO) and PSO.
Originality/value
FLS is modeled in MATLAB environment. The effectiveness of the proposed method is tested and examined on the standard IEEE-30 bus system and their results are compared with APSO and PSO under MATPOWER environment. The results show that the proposed algorithm is capable of improving the transmission security with optimum generation cost.