Title: The fast eat the slow – the impact of strategy and innovation timing on the success of technology-oriented ventures

Authors: Andreas Kuckertz, Marko Kohtamaki, Cornelia Droege gen. Korber

Addresses: E-Business and E-Entrepreneurship Research Group, Department of Economics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstrasse 9, 45141 Essen, Germany. ' Strategy, Networks and Enterprise Research Group, Department of Management, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, 65101 Vaasa, Finland. ' Think BIG oHG, Lothringer Strasse 36, 44805 Bochum, Germany

Abstract: This paper explores the role of the two dimensions of ambidextrous strategic management (exploration and exploitation) on technology-oriented ventures| innovation and company level performance. Based on a representative sample of German venture capital backed technology start-ups from various innovative industries, we are able to provide support for the oft-stated assumption that the ambidexterity strategy positively influences performance. Results indicate that both explorative and exploitative activity add to the overall success of innovation projects, which consequently influence overall firm performance positively. Moreover, our data suggest that for technology-oriented ventures, the timing of the second innovation project after start-up, i.e., the point in time when ventures become potentially ambidextrous, plays a decisive role.

Keywords: strategy; exploration; exploitation; strategic ambidexterity; ambidextrous management; innovation; technology-oriented ventures; strategic management; firm performance; Germany; venture capital; technology start-ups; entrepreneurship.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2010.035861

International Journal of Technology Management, 2010 Vol.52 No.1/2, pp.175 - 188

Published online: 06 Apr 2013 *

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