Ambidextrous management strategies in the tourism industry: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Purpose This study investigates how ambidextrous management strategies, defined as the simultaneous pursuit of exploration and exploitation, impact organizational innovation and operational efficiency in the tourism sector. It synthesizes existing literature and proposes a future research agenda that expands the scope of ambidexterity beyond organizational strategy to include individual, technological, and contextual dimensions. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, analyzing 73 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The review identifies thematic clusters and synthesizes findings across organizational, individual, technological, and contextual domains. Findings Ambidextrous management strategies enhance both innovation and efficiency in tourism organizations, particularly when supported by digital transformation and knowledge management. Six thematic clusters were identified: organizational resilience, individual ambidexterity, knowledge ambidexterity, family business dynamics, digital technology adoption, and multi-dimensional service interactions. A conceptual framework is proposed to guide future research, emphasizing the need to explore ambidexterity at micro-foundational levels and across diverse tourism contexts. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to published literature, excluding industry reports and practitioner insights, which may affect practical applicability. Regional underrepresentation, particularly from Africa and Latin America, constrains generalizability. Future research should incorporate diverse geographical contexts and longitudinal designs to capture the dynamic nature of ambidextrous management in global tourism. Practical implications Tourism businesses should invest in ambidextrous capacity-building programs, integrate digital platforms for real-time decision-making, and balance operational efficiency with innovation. These strategies can enhance resilience and competitiveness, particularly for SMEs and family-run enterprises. Originality/value This paper offers a comprehensive synthesis of ambidextrous management in tourism, bridging fragmented literature and highlighting underexplored areas such as individual-level ambidexterity, digital technologies, and service innovation. It provides actionable insights for researchers and practitioners seeking to build resilient and innovative tourism enterprises.