IT Ambidexterity, Board Diversity, and Firm Performance: A Configurational Approach

Abstract

This study investigates the role of information technology (IT) ambidexterity and its interplay with board diversity and firm size in influencing firm performance. Using a rich data set and employing the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method, we unveil a range of distinct configurational strategies highlighting the multifaceted impact of IT ambidexterity on short- and long-term firm performance. Our findings suggest that the implications for IT ambidexterity are not uniform but vary depending on the diversity in board gender and tenure, as well as the size of the firm. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse of IT strategy and firm performance, offering fresh perspectives on how gender and tenure diversity can play different roles in a firm’s leverage of IT resources to enhance its immediate and future performance.