Job autonomy, unscripted agility and ambidextrous innovation: analysis of Brazilian startups in times of the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to analyze the influence of job autonomy and unscripted agility on ambidextrous
innovation in startups in times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted with founders and managers of Brazilian
startups in the e-commerce segment, resulting in a sample of 84 startups. Symmetric (structural equation
modeling) and asymmetric (fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis) analyses were performed. The
variables’ external financing and institutional ties were controlled.
Findings – The symmetric findings indicate that unscripted agility is a full mediator between job autonomy
and ambidextrous innovation. The asymmetric findings offer two solutions for startups to achieve high
ambidextrous innovation.
Research limitations/implications – The implications of the research for the literature are discussing
elements associated with ambidextrous innovation, exploring the context of innovation in startups in times of
crisis, specifically in the Covid-19 pandemic, and considering the role of resilience in startups.
Practical implications – The study provides informational inputs to founders and managers of startups on
how job autonomy and unscripted agility can propel incremental and radical innovations.
Originality/value – This study provides new insights and success factors into startups, based on the
discussion of entrepreneurship in times of crisis, as in the case of the Covid-19 pandemic