The Importance of the HR System “Content and Process” in Developing Intrapreneurial Behavior: A Multilevel Analysis

Integrating human resource management (HRM) and intrapreneurship research, we propose a multilevel model to understand the mechanisms through which the content of high-performance work system (HPWS) at individual level and the process of HRM system strength at department level affect intrapreneurial behavior. In support of our hypotheses, an analysis of data from 589 employees of 47 departments in eight Spanish organizations revealed that, at individual level, HPWS perceptions positively predicted intrapreneurial behavior. At department level, HRM system strength perceptions positively contributed to intrapreneurial behavior. Beyond main effects, our cross-level moderation test showed that HRM system strength perceptions moderated the relationship between HPWS perceptions and intrapreneurial behavior, such that effects were stronger when HRM system strength perceptions were high. Our research also discusses the theoretical and practical implications of the findings. JEL CLASSIFICATION: M54