Theoretical Construction and Operational Mechanisms of Intrapreneurial Capabilities: An Exploratory Single-Case Study of Chinese Manufacturing Enterprise

This research systematically synthesizes findings from mainstream authoritative journals regarding intrapreneurial capability, and redefines the concept and dimensions of intrapreneurial capability from a process perspective, but also develops a theoretical framework for the operational mechanism of internal entrepreneurial capability, following the analytical approach of “resource support—generation process—operational results”. Empirical exploration is carried out by selecting typical cases. Findings indicate that intrapreneurial capability serves as the original driving force for achieving rapid growth in internal entrepreneurship. The generation of intrapreneurial capability undergoes a process of evolution from a single dimension to multiple dimensions, and the operational mechanism of intrapreneurial capability involves both main and auxiliary lines working in conjunction. This mechanism continuously promotes rapid iterative growth within enterprises. The contributions of this study are as follows: It redefines the concept of intrapreneurial capability from a process perspective, introducing three elements the concept encompasses—internal entrepreneurial context, comprehensive competence, and innovative output. Unlike previous academic considerations that focused on a single dimension of intrapreneurial capability, the multidimensional classification proposed in this study aids in comprehensively understanding the generation and innovation output processes of intrapreneurial capability. It also constructs a framework for the operational mechanism of intrapreneurial capability for the first time, which can comprehensively address the antecedents, outcomes, and interactions among different dimensions of internal entrepreneurial capability. Longitudinal case analysis provides reliable practical support for validating the conceptual connotations and operational mechanism framework proposed in this study. This study is beneficial for both domestic and international internal entrepreneurial enterprises, especially for startups to understand internal entrepreneurial capability from a holistic perspective, facilitating a swift transition from single-dimensional to multidimensional capability development and transformation, and providing a significant reference value for creating sustainable, internal, entrepreneurial performance.