Insights in the Individual Eco-Intrapreneur

Abstract: Title: Insights in the Individual Eco-Intrapreneur: A Single Case Study Exploring the Individual Drivers of Employees Facilitating Eco-Intrapreneurship Date of the Seminar: 28 May 2019 Course: ENTN39 Master Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Internship and Degree Project (Master Thesis 15 ECTS) Authors: Antonia Becker and Ruben Heidenreich Supervisor: Shibayama, Sotaro Examiner: Winborg, Joakim Keywords: Intrapreneurship, Eco-Intrapreneurship, Individual Drivers, Intrapreneurial Behaviour, Intrapreneurial Characteristics, Intrapreneurial Attitudes, Environmental Innovation, Ecopreneurship, Sustainability Oriented Innovation, Entrepreneurship Research Question: What are the individual drivers of employees facilitating eco-intrapreneurship and how do these individual drivers of employees facilitate eco-intrapreneurship? Methodology: Investigating the individual drivers and their facilitating role on eco-intrapreneurship, this single case study applied a qualitative research method. Strengthening this study, a control group (intrapreneurs) within the same organizational context was incorporated to first identify eco-intrapreneurial drivers before analysing their dynamic relations. Throughout an abductive research design was adopted. The data collection occurred via semi-structured interviews and was further analysed by following the methodology introduced by Gioia, Corley and Hamilton (2012) and partly elements presented by Eisenhardt (1989). Theoretical Perspective: This study opens the black box of eco-intrapreneurial drivers at an individual level by gaining a holistic understanding of the latter. Prior insights into the research context was gained by consulting existing literature in the field of intrapreneurship and eco-innovation. Furthermore, literature discussing intrapreneurial drivers from a personal level as well as ecopreneurship (entrepreneurship and eco-innovation) was reviewed to receive first insights into possible facilitating drivers and their interrelations of eco-intrapreneurs. Conclusion: Eco-intrapreneurs were identified to distinguish themselves with having an environmental mindset and a higher level of proactiveness, ambidexterity and determination compared to the intrapreneurial control group. Further, the need for an environmental purpose, strong intrinsic motivation and the ability of identifying the economic opportunities within environmental solutions surfaced as unique. This study found general intrapreneurial behaviours to lay the basis within eco-intrapreneurs. Acting within the environmental context, the characteristics of ambidexterity and determination appeared as key facilitators for the eco-intrapreneurs to balance personal values with organizational values. Further, the intrinsic drive proved fundamental to identify opportunities within the field of eco-innovation. Finally, the intrapreneurial core and influential attitudes as well as characteristics facilitate eco-intrapreneurs to identify economic value within their personal field of interest, crucial when operating within an organization. This research follows scholars’ call and closes a research gap by taking an initial step to uncover the individual drivers of eco-intrapreneurship and their facilitating role.