A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Revisiting Exploration and Exploitation : Temporal structuring for innovation at work
Authors: Garud, Raghu; Turunen, Marja; Karunakaran, Arvind
Publisher: Sage
Publishing place: THOUSAND OAKS
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Organization theory
Journal name in source: ORGANIZATION THEORY
Journal acronym: ORGAN THEOR
Article number: 26317877251346798
Volume: 6
Issue: 1
Number of pages: 24
eISSN: 2631-7877
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/26317877251346798
Web address : https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/26317877251346798
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499476200
Classical views on organizing for innovation suggest that exploration and exploitation can be balanced in ambidextrous organizations by first separating and then integrating the two. In this paper, we argue that exploration and exploitation can be intertwined to foster ongoing, distributed innovation throughout an organization. To develop this argument, we draw on literature from design, inspired by Herbert Simon, and from narratives, inspired by Paul Ric oe ur, to expand upon classical organizational views rooted in a representational perspective. From the design literature, we theorize the role of Kairos, or the opportune moment. From narrative theory, we theorize the role of Aion, a circular notion of time. These two concepts of time complement Chronos, a linear notion of time around which organizations have traditionally been structured. Our core thesis is that actors' ability to simultaneously engage in exploration and exploitation requires the structuring of all three notions of time. We then discuss the organizational implications of this thesis for innovation at work.
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The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
