Ambidextrous networking capability for innovation: an empirical validation in knowledge-intensive R&D organizations across India and Japan

Purpose This study develops a novel mechanism to measure the ambidextrous networking capability of R&D teams pursuing knowledge-intensive innovation under government-funded R&D organizations across India and Japan. In doing so, it investigates the theoretical roots of network ambidexterity, perceives it from a capability perspective and establishes it as an original construct at team levels. Design/methodology/approach A five-stage multi-study design was deployed to measure ambidextrous networking capability for innovation which included qualitative interviews and survey-based data collection from India and Japan. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis along with replication and model comparison helped in validating the three factorial structures underlying the focal construct. Findings This study reveals the three-factorial structure of the ANCI construct with dimensions – dynamic exploration capabilities, integrative exploitation capabilities and synergistic engagement capabilities. These three dimensions help in measuring the innovation-oriented ambidextrous networking capabilities of R&D teams operating within knowledge-intensive organizations in India and Japan. Originality/value The conceptualization of ambidextrous networking for innovation as a team-level capability, its contextualization within R&D organizational settings and its validation across India and Japan are the original contributions of this study.