Intrapreneurial Orientation in SMEs: A South African Perspective

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify South African constructs of Intrapreneurial Orientation aiding the
internal growth of SMEs. The study is qualitative in design and utilizes a triangulation approach by performing
a Delphi study with South African entrepreneurship experts as well as semi-structured interviews with SME
employees. The results reveal that IO elements promoting growth in SMEs are behavioral, attitudinal,
managerial and environmental in nature. These constructs contain traditional Entrepreneurship Orientation
(EO) elements as well as multi-dimensional factors centering on the individual in the SME. The findings of this
study allow for the development of a South African instrument investigating Intrapreneurial Orientation in
SMEs. The constructs further allow established SMEs to improve their propensity to innovate by instilling an
entrepreneurial spirit within their employees. To date, no South African study has been conducted into
underlying constructs of Intrapreneurial Orientation, a sub-field of Intrapreneurship which has received limited
attention in literature.