Modeling the Critical Drivers of Ambidexterity and Innovation Performance: An Argumentative M‐TISM Approach

This study seeks to uncover the factors that promote ambidexterity and enhance Innovation Performance in Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises (SMEs). A hierarchical model is developed for understanding and analyzing the mutual interactions and interdependencies among these identified antecedents in leading superior Innovation Performance. First, an extensive literature review is performed using the PRISMA framework. The articles were searched and explored in databases like SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Subsequently, the Argumentative Modified Total Interpretive Structural Modeling Methodology is adopted to comprehend the direct and indirect linkages of the proposed hierarchy. A total of 10 factors were considered for building the conceptual hierarchical framework. Results of the study suggest that formalization and environmental dynamism have higher driving power as they are positioned at the lowest level of the TISM hierarchy, whereas Innovation performance has the lowest driving power as it is situated at the highest level of the hierarchy. The links of the proposed hierarchical model have been validated by taking input from a panel of 12 experts. One‐sample t test was utilized to check the significance of the proposed links. The empirical validation of the hierarchical model has strengthened the methodological rigor and brings valuable implications for practitioners and managers. The argumentative illustrations of the links help better comprehend the contextual relationships, thereby supporting the development of suitable strategies based on the hierarchical positioning of these factors.