Mediation by Organizational Design in the Influence of Organizational Ambidexterity on the Performance of Large Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish the role of organizational design in the organizational ambidexterity - performance relationship among large manufacturing firms (LMFs) in Kenya. The studies linking ambidexterity to organizational performance are few and with mixed findings. The few studies indicate that there is no clear ambidexterity - organizational performance relationship. The research was founded on dynamic capabilities and configurations theories. Based on the reviewed literature, a conceptual model and hypotheses were formulated. The study was guided by positivist philosophy. The population of the research was the entire 107 Kenyan large manufacturing firms (LMFs). Cross-sectional research design was used. Primary data in respect of predictor variables was used and was collected using a structured questionnaire. The respondents were the senior managers of the large manufacturing firms (LMFs) in Kenya; namely Chief Executive Officers/Managing Directors (CEOs/MDs) or General Managers (GMs), or Heads of departments (HODs). Descriptive statistics, correlations, linear, multiple and hierarchical regressions were applied in the data scrutiny and interpretation. The study results showed partial organizational design mediating role in the organizational ambidexterity - performance association of LMFs in Kenya. The study findings are useful to practitioners and managers of LMFs, policymakers in government as well as scholars and researchers. The study recommends further studies on the mediating role of organizational design, different variable operationalization, diversify respondents and context as well as longitudinal study.