Ambidexterity, organizational structure, and types of innovations in technological R&D institutes in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: This study examines how the organizational structure - mechanistic or organic - and exploration and exploration can contribute to explaining the radical and incremental innovations in research and development institutes (PD) of technology, aimed at products and services related to the Internet, software, hardware, telecommunications (Telecom), information technology (IT) and automation.Methodology: The research was carried out in two phases: Qualitative with four case studies, two cases of national institutes, one private and one public, and two multinational private institutes located in Brazil. The quantitative used a closed questionnaire applied to 17 institutions.Originality / Relevancy: A justification for the selection of TRDI based on the fact that the literature on exploration, exploitation, organizational structure, and innovation shows that the areas of PD of organizations, as well as high technology businesses, must be structured organically. Due to the need for decentralization, more fluid communications, greater autonomy, and the creation of knowledge are necessary as you flourish in turbulent and unstable environments.Main results: The results will reveal a predominance of the organic model in 19 two 21 institutes studied, using both stages. However, it seems that, despite strong guidance for the organic model, there are elements of the mechanistic model: the ability to combine bureaucracy will lose the necessary flexibility. This study reveals that when two models of organizational structures and exploration and exploitation are discussed, there is a gap between theory and application.Theoretical/methodological contributions: The study describes the analysis of the position of institutes in relation to obtaining, generating, and implementing expertise, examining how their organizational structures are configured to carry out related activities in a suitable way for exploration, exploration, and development of innovation in development. you root and increase.Social contributions / for management: In practical terms, this study is relevant because it allows managers and government institutions to establish and implement innovative policies and procedures in this type of technology center. These implications are related to decision-making processes, knowledge creation, guidance for exploration, exploration, ambidexterity, and types of innovation. Consequently, it can be presumed that the organizational structure of these orientations can be mixed. By these arguments, we understand that innovation, ambidexterity (exploration and exploitation), and organizational structure have a strong relationship.