Abstract Multilevel view to strategic change and ambidexterity has received momentum in strategic management. However, previous literature has rarely addressed the strategic aspects of ambidexterity or its decision making pattern in SMEs. Secondly, there is conceptual ambiguity on the concept of the balance dimension of ambidexterity. This study has used a mixed method of research on a sample of Iranian manufacturing SMEs. At the first step, this study used quantitative data to test the proposed model with hierarchical regression analysis. In the second phase, Data Envelope Analysis (DEA) was used to identify the best practices of the proposed model for conducting the interview. In the last stage of the study, qualitative data was collected through semi structured interview, which helped the researchers to do an in depth analysis on optimal composition of ambidexterity. Result from quantitative data has approved the moderating effect of ambidextrous learning on flexibility. The result from DEA and qualitative data analysis has shown the exploitative dominant balanced ambidexterity as the optimal composition of strategies in SMEs.

中文翻译：

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综合探索性因素分析和数据包络分析，以评估平衡的灵活性，促进制造业中小企业的创新

摘要战略变革和灵活性的多层次观点在战略管理中得到了发展。但是，以前的文献很少涉及到灵活性的战略方面或其在中小企业中的决策模式。其次，在歧义平衡维度的概念上存在概念歧义。这项研究采用了混合的研究方法，对伊朗的制造业中小企业进行了抽样研究。第一步，本研究使用定量数据通过分层回归分析对提出的模型进行测试。在第二阶段，使用数据包络分析（DEA）来确定拟议模型进行访谈的最佳实践。在研究的最后阶段，通过半结构化访谈收集了定性数据，这有助于研究人员对最佳的清晰度组成进行深入分析。定量数据的结果证实了灵活性学习对灵活性的调节作用。DEA和定性数据分析的结果表明，具有开发优势的平衡性兼具灵活性是中小企业战略的最佳组合。