Presenting a Model of Ambidextrous Human Resource Management in Project-Oriented Organizations

Authors

    Mohammad Mahdi Shafizadeh Beromi Department of Public Management, Fi.C., Islamic Azad University, Firoozkooh, Iran
    Farshad Hajalian * Department of Public Management, Fi.C., Islamic Azad University, Firoozkooh, Iran f.hajalian@iaufb.ac.ir
    Majid Jahangirfard Department of Public Management, Fi.C., Islamic Azad University, Firoozkooh, Iran
https://doi.org/10.61838/

Keywords:

Human Resource Management, Ambidexterity, Project-Oriented Organizations

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop and empirically validate a comprehensive model of ambidextrous human resource management (A-HRM) tailored to the structural and behavioral requirements of project-oriented organizations.

Methods and Materials: This study employed a mixed-methods sequential exploratory design consisting of qualitative and quantitative phases. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 experts in ambidextrous HRM using purposive and snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved. The interviews were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding using MAXQDA, and thematic structures underlying motivational, empowering, and opportunity-creating HRM practices were extracted. In the quantitative phase, a researcher-developed questionnaire was administered to 213 employees of a large project-oriented organization. Measurement reliability was assessed through Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability (CR), and average variance extracted (AVE), while normality was examined using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to examine path coefficients, t-values, predictive relevance (Q²), coefficient of determination (R²), and overall model fit (GOF).

Findings: The Kolmogorov–Smirnov results indicated all variables were non-normal (p < 0.05), supporting the use of SEM with non-parametric assumptions. All main constructs—motivational practices (R² = 0.836), empowering practices (R² = 0.813), and opportunity-creating practices (R² = 0.733)—showed strong explanatory power. Path coefficients exceeded significance thresholds (t > 1.96), confirming meaningful relationships among variables. Predictive relevance values indicated strong model validity (Q² > 0.35). The overall model demonstrated excellent global fit (GOF = 0.56), confirming strong structural integrity and predictive capability.

Conclusion: The validated model demonstrates that ambidextrous HRM—comprising motivational, empowering, and opportunity-creating practices—provides a robust conceptual and operational foundation for enhancing exploration–exploitation balance in project-oriented organizations, thereby supporting adaptability, innovation, and sustained organizational performance.

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alidadi Talkhestani, Y., Mahmoodzadeh, E., Mousakhani, M., & Alvani, S. M. (2018). Invesgation on Ambidextrous Human Resource Strategic Competencies in a Defensive-Industrial Organization. Journal of Improvement Management, 12(1), 27-50. https://www.behboodmodiriat.ir/article_68049.html (In Persian)

Ardabili, F. S., Verbenko, G., & Cajnko, P. (2025). The effects of organizational agility on organizational performance: the mediating role of ambidexterity. Journal on Innovation and Sustainability Risus, 16(2), 114-123. https://doi.org/10.23925/2179-3565.2025v16i2p114-123

Asili, G. (2014). Strategic analysis of structural pattern and placement of human resource management in project-based organizations. Quarterly journal of Industrial Technology Development, 11(22), 33-44. https://jtd.iranjournals.ir/article_6095_0cb049c172be0c4036d2eba244718e8b.pdf

Asili, G., Afkhami Ardakani, M., Ebrahimi, M., & Vermziar, M. (2015). explaining the structural model of human resource management in project-oriented organizations; A new approach emphasizing the four aspects of human resources. Strategic Studies in the Oil and Energy Industry (Human Resource Management in the Oil Industry), 7(28), 55-80. https://iieshrm.ir/article-1-55-fa.html (In Persian)

Diaz-Fernandez, M., Pasamar-Reyes, S., & Valle-Cabrera, R. (2017). Human capital and human resource management to achieve ambidextrous learning: A structural perspective. BRQ Business Research Quarterly, 20(1), 63-77. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2340943616300184

Eriksson, P. E. (2013). Exploration and exploitation in project-based organizations: Development and diffusion of knowledge at different organizational levels in construction companies. International Journal of Project Management, 31(3), 333-341. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0263786312000890

Faten Ahmed Mohammed Abd El, s., & Ahmed, M. (2024). Effect of Strategic Leadership on Organization Ambidexterity and Agility as Perceived by Staff Nurses. Assiut Scientific Nursing Journal, 0(0), 0-0. https://doi.org/10.21608/asnj.2024.289173.1821

Garaus, C., Güttel, W. H., Konlechner, S., Koprax, I., Lackner, H., Link, K., & Müller, B. (2015). Bridging knowledge in ambidextrous HRM systems: empirical evidence from hidden champions. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27(3), 355-381. https://fis.fhwn.ac.at/en/publications/bridging-knowledge-in-ambidextrous-hrm-systems-empirical-evidence

Haghighi, M., Dehghani Soltani, M., & Farsizadeh, H. (2018). Explaining the role of organizational ambidexterity in the impact of pro-innovation culture and organizational memory on new product development performance. Public Management Researches, 10(38), 197-223. https://jmr.usb.ac.ir/article_3722.html (In Persian)

Haider, S. A., Zubair, M., Tehseen, S., Iqbal, S., & Sohail, M. (2023). How does ambidextrous leadership promote innovation in project-based construction companies? Through mediating role of knowledge-sharing and moderating role of innovativeness. European Journal of Innovation Management, 26(1), 99-118. https://ouci.dntb.gov.ua/en/works/73LDvGj4/

Hossain, M. I., Kumar, J., Islam, M. T., & Valeri, M. (2024). The interplay among paradoxical leadership, industry 4.0 technologies, organisational ambidexterity, strategic flexibility and corporate sustainable performance in manufacturing SMEs of Malaysia. European Business Review, 36(5), 639-669. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-04-2023-0109

Huang, J., & Kim, H. J. (2013). Conceptualizing structural ambidexterity into the innovation of human resource management architecture: The case of LG Electronics. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 24(5), 922-943. https://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/56440/

Membini, Y. (2014). Presenting a conceptual framework of the role of contextual ambivalence in improving the performance of police human resources. Police Human Resources Quarterly, 10(40), 1-18. https://elmnet.ir/doc/2277704-9332 (In Persian)

Moreno-Luzon, M., Gil-Marques, M., Lloria, M. B., & Salas-Vallina, A. (2024). Quality-oriented human resource practices (QHRP), ambidextrous culture and organizational ambidexterity: a study of green agro-food companies. European Journal of Management and Business Economics, 33(3), 253-271. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJMBE-03-2023-0060

Nasution, H., Muafi, M., El-Qadri, Z. M., & Suprihanto, J. (2025). Impact of digital business transformation on organizational ambidexterity and performance in indonesian insurance firms. Intangible Capital, 21(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3926/ic.2930

Park, Y., Pavlou, P. A., & Saraf, N. (2020). Configurations for achieving organizational ambidexterity with digitization. Information Systems Research, 31(4), 1376-1397. https://scholarship.miami.edu/esploro/outputs/journalArticle/Configurations-for-Achieving-Organizational-Ambidexterity-with/991032069206102976

Patel, P. C., Messersmith, J. G., & Lepak, D. P. (2013). Walking the tightrope: An assessment of the relationship between high-performance work systems and organizational ambidexterity. Academy of Management journal, 56(5), 1420-1442. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Walking-the-Tightrope%3A-An-Assessment-of-the-between-Patel-Messersmith/d9e7ec161f746c36efc80f0bee33e954b01c4d24

Peng, H. (2019). Organizational ambidexterity in public non-profit organizations: interest and limits. Management Decision, 57(1), 248-261. https://www.emerald.com/md/article/57/1/248/282754/Organizational-ambidexterity-in-public-non-profit

Pertusa-Ortega, E. M., Molina-Azorín, J. F., Tarí, J. J., Pereira-Moliner, J., & López-Gamero, M. D. (2021). The microfoundations of organizational ambidexterity: A systematic review of individual ambidexterity through a multilevel framework. BRQ Business Research Quarterly, 24(4), 355-371. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2340944420929711

Posch, A., & Garaus, C. (2020). Boon or curse? A contingent view on the relationship between strategic planning and organizational ambidexterity. Long Range Planning, 53(6), 101878. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024630117304247

Sanai, S., Pour Kiani, M., Selajgeh, S., & Sayyadi, S. (2023). Presenting a model of organizational ambivalence based on the tasks of Islamic human resource management in Naja. Human Resources Education and Improvement Quarterly, 3(4), 20-37. https://journals.iau.ir/article_703314.html (In Persian)

Sengura, J. D., Mu, R., & Zhang, J. (2024). Towards Frugal Innovation Capability in Emerging Markets within the Digitalization Epoch: Exploring the Role of Strategic Orientation and Organizational Ambidexterity. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 19(3), 2000-2029. https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer19030098

Shafique, I., Kalyar, M. N., & Mehwish, N. (2021). Organizational ambidexterity, green entrepreneurial orientation, and environmental performance in SMEs context: Examining the moderating role of perceived CSR. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 28(1), 446-456. https://amns.sciendo.com/de/article/10.2478/amns.2023.1.00421?tab=references

Sohani, S. S., & Singh, M. (2017). Multilevel analysis of ambidexterity and tagging of specialised projects in project-based information technology firms. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 37(9), 1185-1206. https://journaldtai.com/index.php/jdtai/article/view/82?articlesBySimilarityPage=12

Tahmasbi, R., Mirzamani, A., & Brumand, M. (2019). Designing Human Resource Framework for Ambidextrous Organizations. Journal of Research in Human Resources Management, 10(4), 105-132. https://hrmj.ihu.ac.ir/article_204317_b0a4bedbedf0480a1fb534a1c7f3f3db.pdf

Turner, N., Maylor, H., & Swart, J. (2015). Ambidexterity in projects: An intellectual capital perspective. International Journal of Project Management, 33(1), 177-188. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0263786314000921

Turner, N., Swart, J., & Maylor, H. (2013). Mechanisms for managing ambidexterity: A review and research agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews, 15(3), 317-332. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2012.00343.x

Wang, C.-H., & Hsu, L.-C. (2014). Building exploration and exploitation in the high-tech industry: The role of relationship learning. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 81, 331-340. https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/tefoso/v81y2014icp331-340.html

Waseel, A. H., Zhang, J., Shehzad, M. U., Hussain Sarki, I., & Kamran, M. W. (2024). Navigating the innovation frontier: ambidextrous strategies, knowledge creation, and organizational agility in the pursuit of competitive excellence. Business Process Management Journal, 30(6), 2127-2160. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-02-2024-0081

Zebari, M. R. Y. (2024). The Effect of Organizational Flexibility on Organizational Ambidexterity in Higher Education Institutions in Iraq. International Review of Management and Marketing, 14(2), 23-36. https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.15705

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2026-04-01

Submitted

2025-09-11

Revised

2025-12-01

Accepted

2025-12-09

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Shafizadeh Beromi , M. M. ., Hajalian, F., & Jahangirfard, M. . (2026). Presenting a Model of Ambidextrous Human Resource Management in Project-Oriented Organizations. International Journal of Innovation Management and Organizational Behavior (IJIMOB), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.61838/