Grounded Theory Analysis of Entrepreneurial Communication (A Case Study of Intrapreneurial Managers in Iran's Petrochemical Industry)

This study was designed with the aim of analyzing the role of entrepreneurial communication among managers in the petrochemical industry and developing a conceptual model to explain the formation process, influencing factors, and outcomes of such communication. To answer the main research question—“How does entrepreneurial communication emerge among managers in Iran's petrochemical industry, and what factors influence its pattern?”—the qualitative method of grounded theory was employed. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 senior managers and organizational intrapreneurs in the petrochemical industry, selected purposively and based on the principle of theoretical saturation. Ultimately, the study's paradigmatic model was developed with a focus on the core phenomenon of "entrepreneurial communication in the petrochemical industry." The results of this study indicate that this form of communication is shaped by a set of causal conditions (such as individual characteristics, communication skills, and leadership abilities), contextual conditions (such as networking and organizational resources), and intervening conditions (including economic, legal, social, and technological barriers). Furthermore, entrepreneurs advance stakeholder interaction processes by adopting various communication strategies. These communications yield outcomes such as enhanced performance, value creation, personal and organizational growth, social responsibility, and effective management. The findings suggest that entrepreneurial communication within the context of Iran's petrochemical industry plays a vital role in opportunity creation, innovation development, and reinforcement of organizational dynamism. This conceptual model can serve as a foundation for policymaking aimed at enhancing relational capital in complex industries.