Ambidextrous practices in public service organizations: innovation and optimization tensions in Dutch water authorities

For public service organizations (PSOs) it is essential to be able to simultaneously and innovate policies, processes and services. This article explores how shape these dual practices by examining optimization and innovation practices eight Dutch regional water authorities (RWAs) using focus groups. It uncovers reinforcing differences in culture, strategy and management leading to ambidextrous configurations. In low ambidextrous RWAs a legalistic taskorientation along with a transactional management style and focus on optimization. In high ambidextrous RWAs a societal value-orientation, integrative, and a more transformational management style lead to more embedded practices.