Culture dimensions and ambidexterity: does it trigger innovation? - An empirical of higher education level in HCM City

Abstract

Research aims to examine the relationship between culture dimensions defined by Hofstede and innovation practice through a mediated variable called ambidexterity by structural equation modeling approach. Organization ambidexterity comprises of two sub-components: exploration and exploitation behavior. The study would be conducted in education sector with target respondents are 350 lecturers in Vietnam's universities located in the South in terms of their teaching method. Findings suggest that ambidexterity is a predictor of innovation and could be achieved by fostering explorative behavior. Long-term orientation, collectivism characteristics are negatively related to explorative activity. Masculinity is reported to have positive relationship whereas collectivism is proved to have negative relationship with exploitative behavior. Others dimensions are found to has minor effects on exploration and exploitation. At the end, author provides recommendations for higher-authority people to create an environment encouraging explorative behavior so as to trigger lecturer’s innovation capability.