Abstract
In technology-intensive work environments, employees must balance the efficient exploitation of familiar tools with the innovative exploration of new functionalities, a capability known as ambidextrous technology use. This study examines how ambidexterity influences adaptive performance outcomes in higher education administrative contexts. Drawing on survey data from 167 administrative staff across eight Australian universities, we operationalise ambidextrous technology use as the multiplicative interaction of exploitation and exploration behaviours. Findings reveal the strong and pervasive adoption of both dimensions, with significant positive associations with perceived productivity and job satisfaction. However, the impact on efficiency metrics such as task completion time, error reduction, and turnaround time was mixed, suggesting that individual digital skills alone cannot overcome systemic process constraints. These insights advance ambidexterity theory in the digital workplace and offer actionable implications for institutional leaders seeking to optimise technology-enabled work practices.
Recommended Citation
Joseph, Jane; Faisal, Nadia; and Firmin, Sally, "Balancing Innovation and Efficiency: Ambidextrous
Technology Use and Its Impact on Adaptive Performance in
Higher Education Administration" (2025). ACIS 2025 Proceedings. 91.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/acis2025/91