• Exploitation
• Exploration
• Organizational Ambidexterity
• Organizational context
• Search practices

This thesis explore the search phase of the innovation process and the organizational ambidexterity concept. It is an empirical research based on a questionnaire, developed by the Discontinuous Innovation Lab, which has been submitted to a 500 high tech Italian firm sample. In particular, this study is focused on: (1) a detailed analysis of the relations between search practices, the innovation context (innovation culture and organizational levers) and performance (in terms of competences and innovation); and (2) a deep investigation about the role of organizational ambidexterity. Results highlight that the context operates as a key factor in the relations tested. Furthermore, the search practices act as mediator, while the ambidexterity acts either as moderator and mediator, in order to get higher performance.