Conveying respect towards co-workers and intrapreneurship: A study among immigrant employees

Background Why and how conveying respect may foster the engagement of immigrant employees, who often occupy a vulnerable position within the workforce, in intrapreneurship—one’s search and pursuit of new venture opportunities? This question is situated within the discourse about our intrinsic drive to connect and engage with others, both socially and at work, which is essential for developing positive relationships that inspire and propel work engagement and action. Objective Research in this area has tended to focus on one’s experiences of respect in the interactions with others and her/his work engagement. However, little is known about why and how working immigrants who convey respect in their relationships with others may be driven to engage in specific work behaviors—intrapreneurship. Method We conducted both time-lagged and experimental studies to examine this question. The findings indicate that interacting respectfully with others (i.e., conveying respect) cultivates relational energy, which in turn encourages immigrant employees to engage in intrapreneurial behaviors. Conclusion Our findings advance the relational resourcing view by shifting the focus from experiencing respect in work relationships to the act of conveying respect, suggesting that immigrant employees who engage respectfully with others cultivate relational energy and, in turn, are better positioned to generate new venture initiatives and contribute meaningfully to their organizations.