Exploring my entrepreneurial self at work: How entrepreneurial identity aspiration influences employee intrapreneurial behaviors and work performance

Abstract

Aspirations to be an entrepreneur inspire individuals to take action and engage in new venture creation. It is unclear, however, how these entrepreneurial aspirations might influence individuals working as employees in traditional jobs. We draw from theory on possible selves to predict that entrepreneurial identity aspiration motivates employees to engage in intrapreneurial behaviors within their organizations, subsequently increasing their work performance. Additionally, we argue that individuals’ organizational identification and their entrepreneurial self-efficacy will strengthen the relationship between their entrepreneurial identity aspiration and their engagement in intrapreneurial behaviors at work. Results from two studies largely support our predictions.