Higher education in modern Russia: assessing the level of industry ambidexterity

The article is devoted to the problem of applying the concept of organizational ambidexterity, which is a new approach to the analysis and management of innovative activities of commercial companies, to the field of higher education. It is concluded that it is necessary to clarify the content of the concepts of exploration and exploitation for higher education organizations due to the distinctive features of this sphere: conducting scientific research is one of the main tasks of universities, profit is not the main goal of their activities, and the share of state funding for scientific research in the higher education sector is more than 60%. As a basis for distinguishing these concepts, it is proposed to apply three criteria: the creation of new knowledge, the presence of a direct customer and the form of presentation of scientific results. Thus, it is proposed to classify fundamental research as exploration, and applied research and development as exploitation. Based on the results of the conducted assessment of the industry R&D orientation, it was concluded that the higher education sector in Russia is an ambidextrous industry, since educational organizations carry out both fundamental and applied research and development. At the same time, it is believed that for a single organization operating in an ambidextrous industry, it is more advantageous to adhere to one of the R&D strategies (exploration or exploitation). However, it is the dual nature of exploration and exploitation activities in universities that enables them to effectively implement their main missions - educational and scientific research, as well as to transfer knowledge and technology. In this regard, the role of the state in stimulating educational organizations to conduct not only applied, but also fundamental research is increasing, since it will ensure the unity of the development of science and the production system to strengthen the technological sovereignty of the Russian Federation.