MELAMPAUI AGILITAS: PERAN AMBIDEKSTERITAS INOVASI DALAM MENDORONG PERTUMBUHAN SKALABEL BISNIS STARTUP SAAS

Authors

  • Robertus Adi Nugroho Universitas Katolik Darma Cendika
  • Maria Indah Lestari Sepungan Universitas Katolik Darma Cendika

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32524/jkb.v24i1.1953

Keywords:

Strategic agility, Innovation ambidexterity, Startup Scalability, SAAS, Kapabilitas Dinamis

Abstract

Purpose - This study aims to examine how Strategic Renewal contributes to Startup Scalability through Innovation Ambidexterity, comprising exploration and exploitation, in Software as a Service (SAAS) startups. While strategic agility is widely recognized as a critical capability in dynamic environments, empirical evidence on how it is translated into scalable growth in emerging digital ecosystems remains limited.

Design/Methodology/Approach - This research employs a quantitative approach using a survey method. Data were collected from 181 strategic decision-makers in SAAS startups operating in Jakarta and Surabaya. The proposed research model was tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze direct effects, indirect effects, and mediation relationships among the variables.

Findings - The results indicate that Strategic Renewal does not have a significant direct effect on Startup Scalability. However, Strategic Renewal significantly influences both dimensions of Innovation Ambidexterity. Exploration has a strong and positive effect on Startup Scalability, whereas exploitation shows a non-significant and negative relationship. Further analysis reveals that exploration fully mediates the relationship between Strategic Renewal and Startup Scalability, while exploitation does not function as a mediating mechanism.

Practical Implications - The findings suggest that SAAS startups should not rely solely on strategic agility to achieve scalable growth. Instead, agility must be deliberately channeled into exploratory innovation activities such as experimentation, new feature development, and market exploration. Overemphasis on exploitative efficiency at early growth stages may constrain scalability.

Originality/Value - This study provides empirical evidence of full mediation by exploration in the relationship between Strategic Renewal and Startup Scalability, extending Dynamic Capability Theory in the context of digital startups. It highlights the asymmetric roles of exploration and exploitation and offers novel insights into growth mechanisms within emerging SAAS ecosystems.

References

Box, P. O., & Kuopio, F.-. (2011). Start-up Motivations and Growth Orientation of Owners of Family Business - A Care Entrepreneurshipn Approach. Electronic Journal of Family Business Studies (EJFBS), 5(1–2), 55–73.

Cantamessa, M., Gatteschi, V., Perboli, G., & Rosano, M. (2018). Startups’ roads to failure. Sustainability (Switzerland), 10(7), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072346

Chen, J., & Liu, L. (2020). Reconciling temporal conflicts in innovation ambidexterity: the role of TMT temporal leadership. Journal of Knowledge Management, 24(8), 1899–1920. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-10-2019-0555

Choi, Y. R., Ha, S., & Kim, Y. (2022). Innovation ambidexterity, resource configuration and firm growth: is smallness a liability or an asset? Small Business Economics, 58(4), 2183–2209. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-021-00507-3

Clauss, T., Abebe, M., Tangpong, C., & Hock, M. (2019). Strategic Agility, Business Model Innovation, and Firm Performance: An Empirical Investigation. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 68(3), 767–784. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2019.2910381

Criscuolo, C., Calvino, F., & Menon, C. (2015). Cross-Country Evidence on Startup Dynamics. OECD Science, Technology and Industry Working Papers, (6), 1--61. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/economy/growth/Cross-country-evidence-on-start-up-dynamics.pdf

Doz, Y. L., & Kosonen, M. (2010). Embedding strategic agility: A leadership agenda for accelerating business model renewal. Long Range Planning, 43(2–3), 370–382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2009.07.006

Ehsan, Z.-A. (2021). Defining a Startup - A Critical Analysis. SSRN Electronic Journal, (April). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3823361

Farzaneh, M., Wilden, R., Afshari, L., & Mehralian, G. (2022). Dynamic capabilities and innovation ambidexterity: The roles of intellectual capital and innovation orientation. Journal of Business Research, 148(April), 47–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.04.030

Hair, J F, Anderson, R. E., Tatham, R. L., & Black, W. C. (2019). Multivariate Data Analysis, Multivariate Data Analysis. In Cengage (8th Editio). Andover, Hampshire: Cengage.

Hair, Joseph F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., Danks, N. P., & Ray, S. (2021). Mediation Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80519-7_7

Hair, Joseph F, Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). The Results of PLS-SEM Article information. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24.

Hair, Joseph F, Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2017). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. In Springet International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05542-8

Hair, Joseph Franklin, Ringle, C. M., Hult, G. T. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2021). Review of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) Using R: A Workbook. In Springer (Vol. 30). https://doi.org/10.1080/10705511.2022.2108813

Ismail, A., Kamel, S., & Wahba, K. (2019). The Impact of Technology-Based Incubators in Creating a Sustianable and Scalable Start-up Culture in Emerging Economies: A System Thinking Model. Communications of the IBIMA, 2019, 1943–7765. https://doi.org/10.5171/2019.364776

Korpysa, J. (2021). Process ambidexterity in startups innovation. Management Systems in Production Engineering, 29(1), 27–32. https://doi.org/10.2478/mspe-2021-0004

Kortmann, S. (2015). The Mediating Role of Strategic Orientations on the Relationship between Ambidexterity-Oriented Decisions and Innovative Ambidexterity. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 32(5), 666–684. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12151

Leih, S., & Teece, D. J. (2012). The Functions of Middle and Top Management in the Dynamic Capabilities Framework. SSRN Electronic Journal, 1–23.

Li, X., Li, X., & Ding, S. (2025). Digital transformation and innovation ambidexterity: perspectives on accumulation and resilience effects. European Journal of Innovation Management, 28(4), 1601–1624. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-07-2023-0526

Müller, S. D., Påske, N., & Rodil, L. (2019). Managing ambidexterity in startups pursuing digital innovation. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 44(1), 273–298. https://doi.org/10.17705/1CAIS.04418

Nugroho, R. A. (2021). Mengelola SDM dalam Dunia Digital Untuk Memperoleh SDM Yang Unggul dalam Mengelola Bisnis Start-Up Bidang Jasa. Jurnal Indonesia Sosial Sains, 2(5), 827–845. https://doi.org/10.36418/jiss.v2i5.300

Nugroho, R. A. (2023). Enhancing Innovation Behavior of Digital Start-up Employees: The Role of Knowledge Sharing and Creativity. International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies, 2(2), 50–63. https://doi.org/10.56472/25835238/IRJEMS-V2I2P106

Nugroho, R. A., Ferdinan, B. A., & Rosyadi, J. A. (2024). The Impact of Creative Leadership on Strategic Agility in Startups: Mediating Roles of Resource Management and Innovative Work Behavior. Business Review and Case Studies, 5(2), 305–318. https://doi.org/10.17358/brcs.5.2.305

Nurjaman, R., Rahayu, A., Wibowo, L. A., & Widjajani, W. (2021). The role of strategic agility towards the firm performance of logistics service providers in Indonesia. Management Science Letters, 11, 965–974. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2020.9.046

Olaleye, B. R., Anifowose, O. N., Efuntade, A. O., & Arije, B. S. (2021). The Role of Innovation and Strategic Agility on Firms’ Resilience: A Case Study of Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria. Management Science Letters, 11, 297–304. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.msl.2020.8.003

Prashantham, S., & Yip, G. S. (2016). Engaging with Startups in Emerging Markets. MIT Sloan Management Review, (Winter Issue).

Rayis, H., Gamaputra, G., & R, E. Y. (2022). Strengthening Internal Factors for Campuspedia Start-up Growth. The 3rd International Conference on Governance, Public Administration and Socual Science (ICoGPASS), 1038–1061.

Reed, J. (2021). Strategic Agility in the SME: Use it before you lose it. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 31(3), 33–46.

Ryu, D., Baek, K. H., & Yoon, J. (2022). Linking External Knowledge Search to Innovation Ambidexterity in SMEs. Science, Technology and Society, 27(2), 159–171. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/09717218221074905

Schnellbaecher, B., Diefenbach, U., & Millemann, J. (2018). Putting the Individual in Ambidexterity – Identifying Activities to Achieve Organisational Ambidexterity and LongTerm Survival. SSRN Electronic Journal, 435–441. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3280278

Seepana, C., Apulraj, A., & Smart, P. K. (2022). Relational Resources for Innovation Ambidexterity within Cooperative Relationship: The Contigent Role of Managerial Ambidexterity. International Journal of Operations and Production Management, 42(12), 1969–1994. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-10-2021-0666

Sestri, E., Anis, N., & Farah, R. (2025). The Role of Business Incubators in Facilitating Startup Growth in Indonesia. Journal of Loomingulisus Ja Innovatsioon, 2(2), 59–69.

Teece, D. J. (2007a). Explicating Dynamic Capabilities: The Nature and Microfoundations of (Sustainable) Enterprise Performance. Srategic Management Journal, 28, 1319–1350. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj

Teece, D. J. (2007b). Explicating Dynamic Capabilities: The Nature and Microfoundations of (Sustainable) Enterprise Performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(August), 1319–1350. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj

Teece, D. J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (2009). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Knowledge and Strategy, 18(April 1991), 77–116. https://doi.org/10.1093/0199248540.003.0013

Teixeira, E. G., Moura, G. L. de, Lopes, L. F. D., Marconatto, D. A. B., & Fischmann, A. A. (2021). The influence of dynamic capabilities on startup growth. RAUSP Management Journal, 56(1), 88–108. https://doi.org/10.1108/RAUSP-08-2019-0176

Vonoga, A. (2018). Start-Ups – an Element for Economic Growth and Innovativeness. Latgale National Economy Research, 1(10), 159. https://doi.org/10.17770/lner2018vol1.10.3458

Widjajani, & Nurjaman, R. (2020). The Framework of Strategic Agility in Small and Medium Enterprise. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1477(5). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1477/5/052034

Xia, Q., Zhu, Q., Tan, M., & Xie, Y. (2024). A configurational analysis of innovation ambidexterity: evidence from Chinese niche leaders. Chinese Management Studies, 18(4), 954–977. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/CMS-01-2023-0032

Published

2026-03-30

How to Cite

Nugroho, R. A., & Sepungan, M. I. L. . (2026). MELAMPAUI AGILITAS: PERAN AMBIDEKSTERITAS INOVASI DALAM MENDORONG PERTUMBUHAN SKALABEL BISNIS STARTUP SAAS. Jurnal Keuangan Dan Bisnis, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.32524/jkb.v24i1.1953