The affective side of innovation ambidexterity: the influence of TMT entrepreneurial passion diversity

Purpose Although prior research highlights the organizational and cognitive challenges associated with achieving innovation ambidexterity, comparatively limited attention has been paid to the affective characteristics that may differentiate top management teams (TMTs) of firms. The authors build on emerging research and identify TMT entrepreneurial passion diversity as an affective characteristic with particular relevance to innovation ambidexterity. Design/methodology/approach Based on data collected from 195 small- and medium-sized enterprises in China, this study uses ordinary least squares regression models to test the hypotheses. Findings The results show that TMT passion intensity separation is negatively related to innovation ambidexterity, while TMT passion focus variety has an inverted U-shaped relationship with innovation ambidexterity. In addition, environmental dynamism weakens the effects of TMT passion intensity separation and strengthens the effects of passion focus variety. Originality/value This study pushes forward the research agenda on affective microfoundations of innovation ambidexterity. It also reveals the potential dark side of TMT entrepreneurial passion by explicitly delineating its effects on innovation management.