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The need for speed—unfamiliar problems, capability rigidity, and ad hoc processes in organizations

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  • Paavo Ritala
  • Bruce Heiman
  • Pia Hurmelinna-Laukkanen

Abstract

Dynamic capabilities, which are subject to organizational embeddedness and potential path dependence, are sometimes inadequate for dealing with urgent and unexpected organizational and strategic problems. This study explores the boundary conditions of dynamic capabilities and proposes a complementary approach for dealing with unfamiliar problems: the ad hoc problem-finding and problem-solving perspective. Building on theoretical arguments of the dynamic capability view, managerial choice, and problem-finding/problem-solving logic, we suggest that managers addressing unfamiliar problems make discrete organizing choices over a range of dynamic capabilities and ad hoc processes. A series of theory-driven propositions are developed to illustrate our arguments.

Suggested Citation

  • Paavo Ritala & Bruce Heiman & Pia Hurmelinna-Laukkanen, 2016. "The need for speed—unfamiliar problems, capability rigidity, and ad hoc processes in organizations," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 25(5), pages 757-777.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:indcch:v:25:y:2016:i:5:p:757-777.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/icc/dtw028
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Bustinza, Oscar F. & Vendrell-Herrero, Ferran & Gomes, Emanuel, 2020. "Unpacking the effect of strategic ambidexterity on performance: A cross-country comparison of MMNEs developing product-service innovation," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(6).
    2. Sydow, Jörg & Schreyögg, Georg & Koch, Jochen, 2020. "Current interest in the theory of organizational path dependence: A short update on the occasion of the 2019 AMR Decade Award," Discussion Papers 2020/12, Free University Berlin, School of Business & Economics.
    3. Lauri Haapanen & Pia Hurmelinna-Laukkanen & Jan Hermes, 2018. "FIRM FUNCTIONS AND THE NATURE OF COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN INTERNATIONALIZING SMEs," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 22(03), pages 1-30, April.
    4. Hurmelinna-Laukkanen, Pia & Möller, Kristian & Nätti, Satu, 2022. "Orchestrating innovation networks: Alignment and orchestration profile approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 170-188.
    5. Minna Saunila & Juhani Ukko & Tero Rantala & Mina Nasiri & Hannu Rantanen, 2020. "Preceding operational capabilities as antecedents for productivity and innovation performance," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 90(4), pages 537-561, May.
    6. Osiyevskyy, Oleksiy & Shirokova, Galina & Ritala, Paavo, 2020. "Exploration and exploitation in crisis environment: Implications for level and variability of firm performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 227-239.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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