Ambidestreza y desempeño organizativo en la industria agroalimentaria ecológica españolael papel clave de la integración de la calidad de la cadena de suministros

Resumen

The propose of this research is to analyze the role of supply chain quality integration (SCQI) on the development of organizational ambidexterity, and the influence of this capability on product innovation and business performance. To successfully achieve this general objective, we followed a set of specific objectives. First, we studied the supply chain quality integration (SCQI) and organizational ambidexterity frameworks and conceptualized these phenomena using organizational routines and dynamic capabilities perspectives, respectively. Next, we built a theoretical model of influences that related each SCQI dimension with ambidexterity, as well as the effect of ambidexterity on product innovation and business performance. Finally, the proposed model was tested using data collected from 239 organic agri-food manufacturing firms in Spain. On the basis of the above, our model was proposed to explain some antecedents and consequences of organizational ambidexterity. Regarding to the ambidexterity's antecedents, the influence of SCQI on ambidexterity was tested using both the contingency and configuration approaches. By applying the contingency approach to SCQI, we studied the direct effect of supplier, internal, and customer quality integration on organizational ambidexterity, and by applying a configuration approach, we examined the effect of SCQI patterns on organizational ambidexterity. On the other hand, regarding to the ambidexterity#s consequences, following previous research, we studied the direct effect of this capability on both product innovation and business performance. The results reveal that internal quality integration had a positive direct effect on ambidexterity, but contrary what we expected, neither customer or supplier quality integration had a direct relationship with ambidexterity. However, the analysis of SCQI patterns showed that organic agri-food manufacturing firms with low, medium or unbalanced SCQI patterns did not differ in their ambidexterity capability, but once a high level of the three SCQI dimensions had been developed (high uniform pattern), the manufacturers' ambidexterity capability was significantly higher from the competitor categorized into other patterns (low, medium or unbalanced). Therefore, the findings of the configuration approach suggest that a significant improvement in ambidexterity is achieved when all the three SCQI dimensions are strong and balanced. Combining the findings from both approaches, we concluded that all SCQI dimensions are important for ambidexterity with internal quality integration being the basis of the relationship between SCQI and ambidexterity. Regarding ambidexterity's consequences, we found that organizational ambidexterity had a positive effect on both product innovation and business performance.