Exploitation and exploration of knowledge: An ambidextrous context for the successful adoption of telemedicine technologies

The evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of the uptake of telemedicine technologies for the management of health by users is still lacking. Hence, this research explores the relevance of an ambidexterity context to balance explorative and exploitative learning processes to support the adoption of telemedicine technology. Survey data obtained from 252 healthcare end users was analysed using the ADANCO software version 2.0.1. The results derived from this empirical study support the observation that explorative and exploitative processes mediate the relationship between an ambidexterity context and the utilisation of telemedicine technology. Prior research has revealed that it is fundamentally important for organisations to be able to exploit and explore external sources of knowledge. However, for the uptake of telemedicine technologies, there has been limited research that aids in developing an adequate framework to analyse the role played by explorative and exploitative learning processes with patients. In order to address this issue, this study is done from the point of view of either home health patients or their carers. This paper supports the use of an ambidexterity context that facilitates an environment where effective balance between explorative and exploitative learning processes is likely to improve the patients’ levels of utilisation of telemedicine technology.