Exploring Trust as an Influencing Mechanism of Intrapreneurship

Managers and employees in four diverse organization settings were interviewed with semi-structured methods to provide grounded insight about the potential role of trust as a contributor to intrapreneurial behavior. The data suggest that several different dimensions of trust influence intrapreneurial behavior. Transcription analysis identified dimensions of trust as “downward trust-in,” “upward trust-of,” and “upward trust-in.” In addition, lateral trust, reciprocity and the cascading effects of managerial trust, are explored. Study results are examined within the theory of intrapreneurship in organizations and directions for future research are outlined