Can location decisions provide operational ambidexterity to achieve efficiency and flexibility in global pandemics?

This study contributes to the ambidexterity literature and exploration/exploitation trade-off debate by exploring selective manufacturing location decisions. By conducting five in-depth case studies, we gathered evidence that has shown, by taking selective shoring decisions, companies can improve their ambidextrous capabilities. Our findings show that the companies gained the ability to excel simultaneously on efficiency and responsiveness/flexibility objectives by having both offshored and reshored production.