Motivating Intrapreneurs: The Relevance of Rewards

Abstract

A challenge faced by management graduates in promoting intrapreneurship to achieve competitive advantage is the use of motivational techniques that build commitment to entrepreneurial behaviour. Despite the acknowledged importance of rewards to encourage innovation, there is surprisingly little empirical evidence to provide guidance on which rewards motivate intrapreneurs. This paper investigates the rewards that organizations use to motivate intrapreneurs in both service and information and communication technology firms in South Africa. The results indicate that an intrapreneurial reward system tends to focus on formal acknowledgement, social incentives and the organizational freedom of employees. These, rather than monetary incentives, are valued by intrapreneurs and therefore should be incorporated into the teaching curricula of business schools. It is argued that application of these findings will help managers to promote intrapreneurial behaviour and create engaged employees.

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