Navigating both/and and either/or approaches in response to paradoxical demands: A meta-both/and approach

Paradox scholars increasingly argue that organizations should not only adopt both/and approaches to manage paradoxes but also consider either/or approaches as valid alternatives. However, previous research indicates that both/and and either/or approaches are based on contradictory beliefs and organizational structures, making it difficult to leverage them effectively. By integrating the concepts of the decision paradox and reflective episodes into paradox theory, we propose a process model for navigating paradox through a “meta both/and” approach. Our model explains how both/and and either/or approaches can be regarded as serious alternatives, systematically integrated into an organization, and applied to address paradoxical demands. We advance the understanding of the paradoxical relationship between both/and and either/or approaches and the structures that facilitate their effective application in managing paradoxes.