Skip to main content

Intrapreneurs: Characteristics and Behavior

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Inside the Mind of the Entrepreneur

Part of the book series: Contributions to Management Science ((MANAGEMENT SC.))

Abstract

Intrapreneurship has become a relevant topic in literature as far as its impact on organizational performance is more and more often highlighted from very diverse points of view. The main goal of this chapter is introducing the specific personal and professional profile of intrapreneurs, considered as highly committed individuals motivated by innovation, continuous improvement and able to leader teams in the direction they foresee within the companies in which they work. This chapter will present the relevance and impact of intrapreneurship, the role and main characteristics of the intrapreneurs, their behavior and motivations, and finally some good practices will be exposed in order to encourage intrapreneurship within organizations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agca, V., Topal, Y., & Kaya, H. (2012). Linking intrapreneurship activities to multidimensional firm performance in Turkish manufacturing firms: An empirical study. The International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 8(1), 15–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antoncic, J. A., & Antoncic, B. (2011). Employee satisfaction, intrapreneurship and firm growth: A model. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 111(4), 589–607.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antoncic, B. A., & Hisrich, R. D. (2004). Corporate entrepreneurship contingencies and organizational wealth creation. The Journal of Management Development, 23(6), 518–550.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashforth, B., & Mael, F. (1989). Social identity theory and the organization. The Academy of Management Review, 14(1), 20–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward unifying theory of behavior change. Psychological Review, 84, 191–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbosa, S. D., Gerhardt, M. W., & Kickul, J. R. (2007). The role of cognitive style and risk preference on entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, 13(4), 86–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barringer, M. W., & Milkovich, G. T. (1998). A theoretical exploration of the adoption and design of flexible benefit plans: A case of human resource innovation. The Academy of Management Review, 23(2), 305–324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bierwerth, M., Schwens, C., Isidor, R., & Kabst, R. (2015). Corporate entrepreneurship and performance: A meta-analysis. Small Business Economics, 45(2), 255–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bosma, N., Wennekers, S., Guerrero, M., Amorós, J. E., Martiarena, A., & Singer, S. (2013). Global entrepreneurship monitor special report on entrepreneurial employee activity. Boston: Babson College.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brockhaus, R. H. (1980). Risk taking propensity of entrepreneurs. The Academy of Management Journal, 23(3), 509–520.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buekens, W. (2014). Fostering intrapreneurship: The challenge for a new game leadership. Procedia Economics and Finance, 16, 580–586.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chamorro-Premuzic, T. (2012). How bad leadership spurs entrepreneurship. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2012/09/how-bad-leadership-spurs-entrepreneurship

  • Chen, C. C., Greene, P. G., & Crick, A. (1998). Does entrepreneurial self-efficacy distinguish entrepreneurs from managers? Journal of Business Venturing, 13(4), 295–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, O., & Moore, D. G. (1970). The organization makers. New York: Appleton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coulombe, J. (2016). Talent development intrapreneurs: The rising leaders driving innovation in your company. Retrieved from https://www.geteverwise.com/talent-development/intrapreneurs-the-rising-leaders-driving-innovation-in-your-company/

  • Covin, J. G., & Slevin, D. P. (1991). A conceptual model of entrepreneurship as firm behavior. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 16(1), 7–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Pablo, I. (2015). Las claves del emprendimiento corporativo. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. Informe GEM España 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drucker, P. F. (2010). The practice of management. New York: Harper Business.

    Google Scholar 

  • Felicio, J. A., Rodríguez, R., & Caldeirinha, V. R. (2012). The effect of intrapreneurship on corporate performance. Management Decision, 50(10), 1717–1738.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrier, A. (2015). The urgent intrapreneur opportunity: An introduction for corporate leaders. Retrieved from http://www.innovationmanagement.se/2015/09/08/intrapreneur-opportunity/

  • Floyd, S. W., & Wooldridge, B. (1992). Middle management involvement in strategy and its association with strategic type: A research note. Strategic Management Journal, 13(1), 153–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Floyd, S. W., & Wooldridge, B. (1994). Dinosaurs or dynamos? Recognizing middle management’s strategic role. The Academy of Management Executive, 8(4), 47–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foley, S. (2015). Intrapreneurs: The new face of leadership. Retrieved from https://corporate-entrepreneurs.com/2015/03/17/intrapreneurs-the-new-face-of-leadership/

  • Ginsberg, A., & Hay, M. (1994). Confronting the challenges of corporate entrepreneurship: Guidelines for venture managers. European Management Journal, 12(4), 382–389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Govindarajan, V., & Desai, J. (2013). Recognize intrapreneurs before they leave. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2013/09/recognize_intrapreneurs

  • Hender, J. (2003). Innovation leadership: Roles and key imperatives. London: Grist.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hisrich, R. D. (1990). Entrepreneurship/intrapreneurship. The American Psychologist, 45(2), 209–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hornsby, J. S., Kuratko, D. F., & Zahra, S. A. (2002). Middle managers’ perception of the internal environment for corporate entrepreneurship: Assessing a measurement scale. Journal of Business Venturing, 17(3), 253–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huse, M., Neubam, D. O., & Gabrielsson, J. (2005). Corporate innovation and competitive environment. The International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 1(3), 313–333.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ireland, R. D., Kuratko, D. F., & Morris, M. H. (2006). A health audit for corporate entrepreneurship: Innovation at all levels. Part I. Journal of Business Strategies, 27(1), 10–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuratko, D. F. (1993). Intrapreneurship: developing innovation in the corporation. Advances in Global High Technology Management: High Technology Venturing, 3, 3–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuratko, D. F., & Hodgetts, R. M. (2001). Entrepreneurship: A contemporary approach (5th ed.). New York: Dryden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuratko, D. F., Hornsby, J. S., & Bishop, J. W. (2005). An examination of managers’ entrepreneurial actions and job satisfaction. The International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 1(3), 275–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuratko, D. F., Hornsby, J. S., & Covin, J. G. (2014). Diagnosing a firm’s internal environment for corporate entrepreneurship. Business Horizons, 57(1), 37–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuratko, D. F., Hornsby, J. S., Naffziger, D. W., & Montagno, R. V. (1993). Implement entrepreneurial thinking in established organizations. Advanced Management Journal, 58(1), 28–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, L. (2014). Intrapreneurs are just like entrepreneurs … not!. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/larrymyler/2014/01/15/intrapreneurs-are-just-like-entrepreneurs-not/#3561c98b354e

  • Moriano, J. A., Topa, G., Valero, E., & Lévy-Mangin, J. P. (2009). Identificación organizacional y conducta “intraemprendedora”. Anales de Psicología, 25(2), 277–287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, M. H., Kuratko, D. F., & Covin, J. G. (2010). Corporate entrepreneurship & innovation. Boston: Cengage Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, M. H., & Trotter, J. D. (1990). Institutionalising entrepreneurship in a large company: A case study at AT&T. Industrial Marketing Management, 19(2), 131–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen, R. P., Peters, M. P., & Hisrich, R. D. (1985). Intrapreneurship strategy for internal markets-corporate, non-profit and government institution cases. Strategic Management Journal, 6(2), 181–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, J. A., Kramer, T. R., & Robbins, D. K. (1997). Effects of managers’ entrepreneurial behavior on subordinates. Journal of Business Venturing, 12(2), 147–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quast, L. (2011). The skills necessary to be a successful ‘intrapreneur’ (Corporate entrepreneur). Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisaquast/2011/06/20/do-you-have-the-skills-to-be-a-successful-intrapreneur-corporate-entrepreneur/#fc0812b3fc36

  • Salimath, M. S., Cullen, J. B., & Umesh, U. N. (2008). Outsourcing and performance in entrepreneurial firms: Contingent relationships with entrepreneurial configurations. Decision Sciences, 39(3), 359–381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, P., & Chrisman, J. J. (1999). Toward a reconciliation of the definitional issues in the field of corporate entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 23(3), 11–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simsek, Z., & Heavey, C. (2011). The mediating role of knowledge-based capital for corporate entrepreneurship effects on performance: A study of small to medium-sized firms. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 5(1), 81–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, H., & Jarillo, J. C. (1990). A paradigm of entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial management. Strategic Management Journal, 11(special issue), 17–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stopford, J. M., & Baden-Fuller, C. W. F. (1994). Creating corporate entrepreneurship. Strategic Management Journal, 15, 521–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sykes, H. B. (1992). Incentive compensation for corporate venture personnel. Journal of Business Venturing, 7(4), 253–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Knippenberg, D., & Van Shie, E. C. (2000). Foci and correlates of organizational identification. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 73(2), 137–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiklund, J., & Shepherd, D. (2003). Knowledge-based resources, entrepreneurial orientation, and the performance of small and medium-sized business. Strategic Management Journal, 24(13), 1307–1314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wooldridge, B., & Floyd, S. W. (1990). The strategy process, middle management involvement, and organizational performance. Strategic Management Journal, 11(3), 231–241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S. A. (1991). Predictors and financial outcomes of corporate entrepreneurship: An exploratory study. Journal of Business Venturing, 6(4), 259–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S. A. (1993). Environment, corporate entrepreneurship, and financial performance: A taxonomic approach. Journal of Business Venturing, 8(4), 319–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S. A. (1995). Corporate entrepreneurship and financial performance: The case of management leveraged buyouts. Journal of Business Venturing, 701(3), 225–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S. A. (1996). Technology strategy and new venture performance: A study of corporate-sponsored and independent biotechnology ventures. Journal of Business Venturing, 11(4), 289–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S. A., & Covin, J. G. (1995). Contextual influences on the corporate entrepreneurship-performance relationship: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Business Venturing, 10(1), 43–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S. A., Jennings, D. F., & Kuratko, D. F. (1999). The antecedents and consequences of firm level entrepreneurship: The state of the field. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 24(2), 45–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, S. A., Neubaum, D. O., & Huse, M. (2000). Entrepreneurship in medium-size companies: Exploring the effects on ownership and governance systems. Journal of Management, 26(5), 947–976.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, H., Siebert, S. E., & Hills, G. E. (2005). The mediating role of self-efficacy in the development of entrepreneurial intentions. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 90(6), 1265–1272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antonia Mohedano-Suanes .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mohedano-Suanes, A., Benítez, D.G. (2018). Intrapreneurs: Characteristics and Behavior. In: Tur Porcar, A., Ribeiro Soriano, D. (eds) Inside the Mind of the Entrepreneur. Contributions to Management Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62455-6_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics