Unleashing the Power of Intrapreneurship: An Exploration of Psychological Safety, Managerial Innovation Support, and Psychological Availability as Mediating Forces in the Inclusive Leadership - Intrapreneurial Behaviour Link

Abstract

Intrapreneurial behaviour, characterized by innovation, proactivity and risk-taking (Stull & Singh, 2005), is increasingly becoming a concept of interest due to its positive implications for organisations (Blanka, 2019; Naveed et al., 2022). While previous research suggests that an inclusive leadership style facilitates intrapreneurial behaviour, respective mechanisms remain underexplored. This study investigates the mediating roles of Psychological Safety (PS), Managerial Innovation Support (MIS), and Psychological Availability (PA) in this relationship. The study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional, triple-parallel-mediation design. Data from 137 full- or part-time employees was collected using a questionnaire. Participants were primarily young, german and highly educated. Results of the study indicate that IL positively relates to IB. While PS does not intervene, both MIS and PA were found to fully mediate the relationship between IL and IB, providing novel evidence for these specific mediations. Furthermore, exploratory evidence suggests that the mediation via MIS is statistically significantly stronger than via PA while accounting for PS as a covariate. The study provides practical insights, emphasising the importance of nurturing IL for facilitating IB and showcasing effective ways IL can support IB, which should be interpreted against its limitations.