Ambidexterity in a geographic context: a systematic literature review on international exploration and exploitation of knowledge

Despite the globalised nature of today's innovation environment, research on organisational ambidexterity's geographic dimension, especially international, is scarce and largely fragmented. We conduct a systematic literature review of 107 selected academic articles and take stock of what is understood about the geographic implications of ambidexterity, as well as map out important research gaps. We propose a conceptual framework that brings the dispersed body of literature closer together to focus the future academic discussion. The results show how three main interconnected areas—strategic approach, entry mode, and environmental factors—determine and influence exploration and exploitation activities in an international geographic context. Finally, future research avenues are identified in order to support and guide scholars and researchers in their pursuit of advancing the discussion on the geographic dimension of ambidexterity.