• KINGSTONE MULEWA
• PROFESSOR KARIM OMIDO

Organizations face a persistent challenge in balancing exploration—the pursuit of innovation and new opportunities—with exploitation, which emphasizes efficiency and short-term performance. This tension, known as the exploration–exploitation paradox, is central to strategic management and organizational learning. The concept of strategic ambidexterity captures an organization’s ability to integrate these opposing forces to sustain competitive advantage. This traditional literature review synthesizes studies from 2018 to 2025 to examine how firms bridge the exploration–exploitation gap. Guided by the Resource-Based View, Dynamic Capabilities Theory, and Organizational Learning Theory, the review identifies mechanisms, leadership roles, and contextual factors that shape the ambidexterity–advantage relationship. Findings indicate that ambidexterity enhances innovation, adaptability, and long-term competitiveness, but its success depends on strategic alignment, organizational design, and leadership ambidexterity. The review also highlights that the relationship is often non-linear and contingent upon environmental dynamism and digital transformation. Methodological gaps persist, particularly regarding longitudinal and process-based studies, as well as a limited focus on emerging economies and small firms. The paper concludes by calling for more context-sensitive, mixed-method research to clarify how organizations practically balance exploration and exploitation to achieve sustained competitive advantage.

Strategic Ambidexterity; Exploration and Exploitation; Competitive Advantage; Dynamic Capabilities; Organizational Learning.

"BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION: A TRADITIONAL LITERATURE REVIEW ON STRATEGIC AMBIDEXTERITY AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 11, page no.a421-a429, November-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2511046.pdf

"BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION: A TRADITIONAL LITERATURE REVIEW ON STRATEGIC AMBIDEXTERITY AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 11, page no. ppa421-a429, November-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2511046.pdf