The influence of employees' entrepreneurial socio-cognitive traits and the country-level institutional context on employees' entrepreneurial behavior

Purpose This study seeks to identify the individual- and country-level factors that influence employees' entrepreneurial behavior (EEB) by examining the direct effects of entrepreneurial socio-cognitive traits on EEB and the moderating influence of country-level institutional factors. Design/methodology/approach A multilevel logistic regression tests a comprehensive EEB framework using data from multiple sources and a dataset of 225,640 employees across 70 diverse institutional contexts. Findings The results indicate that entrepreneurial self-efficacy and opportunity recognition enhance EEB, particularly in contexts characterized by a supportive national-level intrapreneurial culture, while fear of failure and rigid employment regulations discourage it. Rigid employment regulations weaken the relationship between socio-cognitive traits and EEB, whereas a supportive intrapreneurial culture strengthens the effects of ESE and opportunity recognition on EEB. Originality/value This study advances understanding of how country-level institutions condition the translation of employees' entrepreneurial socio-cognitive traits into EEB. It also provides insights for firms seeking to foster entrepreneurship within organizations by identifying the national- and individual-level factors that encourage or impede entrepreneurial behavior.