Organizational ambidexterity in international marketing: a study of exporting firms from Mato Grosso

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18568/internext.835

Keywords:

Exportação, Mato Grosso, Ambidestria, Exploration, Exploitation, Marketing Internacional

Abstract

Objective: This article analyzes how organizational ambidexterity—balancing exploration (new market exploration) and exploitation (resource optimization)—influences the international marketing strategies of exporting firms from Mato Grosso. Method: An exploratory qualitative study based on a multiple-case study design, involving in-depth interviews with strategic managers from four medium- and large-sized exporting firms in Mato Grosso. Data were analyzed through thematic content analysis, organized into categories derived from the literature, ensuring alignment with the research objectives and strengthening comparability across cases. Main Results: Firms that are mature in international markets prioritize standardization to reduce costs, whereas firms at an early stage of exporting adopt adaptation and incremental innovation strategies to meet the specific demands of markets such as Europe and Asia. Relevance / Originality: The study addresses a gap in the literature by examining how firms from emerging markets, such as Mato Grosso, employ organizational ambidexterity to expand internationally, integrating innovation and efficiency in dynamic global environments. Theoretical / Methodological Contributions: This study demonstrates how organizational ambidexterity can be applied by mid-sized exporting firms, and offers managerial insights into how to balance innovation and efficiency to ensure competitiveness and sustainability in global markets.

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Author Biographies

Gladistone Soares Lopes da Silva, Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing – São Paulo (SP), Brasil.

PhD in Administration - International Marketing from ESPM/SP. Master in Economics - Agribusiness and Regional Development from UFMT - Federal University of Mato Grosso, specialist in Agribusiness with an emphasis on Market Analysis from UFPR - Federal University of Paraná (2012), Bachelor in Administration with an emphasis on Marketing from the Santa Lúcia Educational and Assistance Association (2009). Currently coordinator of the Administration course at Centro Universitário Várzea Grande - Univag, having achieved CPC 5 and excellent Enade (2019) and Coordinator of the Postgraduate MBA in People Management. Teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. With experience in the area of ​​administration in the fashion retail and supermarket sectors, having worked as a manager, supervisor, buyer and manager, commercial representation and in the milk agribusiness. Owner of Insight Marketing Consultoria, acting as a consultant for SEBRAE/MT and particularly for micro, small and medium-sized companies. He is interested in research in the areas of marketing, entrepreneurship, operations and agribusiness.

Thelma Valeria Rocha, ESPM

She is a professor in the Postgraduate Program in Administration - PPGA at ESPM and MPCC (Professional Master's Degree in Consumer Behavior). She has been with ESPM for 23 years, with 31 stricto sensu supervisions, 23 of which were completed for Master's degrees and 7 for Doctorates, and 1 post-doctoral supervision. She has over 50 publications in several Journals, with emphasis on the Journal of Business Research (JBR), Journal of International Management (JIM) and Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services. In Brazil, The Review of Business Management - RBGN and RAUSP Management Journal, REMARK, Internext, among others. She holds a PhD in Administration with an emphasis on Marketing from FEA-USP. She holds a Master's degree in Marketing Administration from EAESP/FGV with a specialization in International Business from the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) Sweden. She has a degree in Administration from FEA/USP and in Production Engineering from FEI. She was the Coordinator of the PPGA at ESPM from 2012 to 2015, when the course had its first triennial evaluation, with a score of 4, and her PhD application was approved. She researches the topics of International Franchising, International Marketing Strategy and Relationship Marketing. She held executive positions in the Marketing area for 12 years at Credicard SA, Mapfre, MyWeb and CPM, where she was Marketing Manager. She is the author of 11 books: Gestão dos Stakeholders with Andrea Goldschmidt; A Hora da Recompensa, with André Veloso; and the Marketing Collection with 4 volumes, published by Editora Saraiva. She is also the author of the collection Internationalization of Brazilian Franchises, published every two years since 2010 until 2023, with 6 volumes, in partnership with ABF, available at https://www.espm.br/wp-content/uploads/EBOOK-V6-LIVRO-VERDE-CAPA-NOVA-copia.pdf She has a degree in Anthroposophic Art Therapy from Toré and is a member of the Aurora Association in São Paulo. I also work as an Art Therapist with my own studio. I am a member of SAB (Brazilian Anthroposophic Society). Contact: thelmavrocha@gmail.com

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Published

2026-03-11

How to Cite

Silva, G. S. L. da, & Valeria Rocha, T. (2026). Organizational ambidexterity in international marketing: a study of exporting firms from Mato Grosso. Internext - International Business and Management Review , 21(1). https://doi.org/10.18568/internext.835

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