How Identity-Specific Workplace Support and Authenticity Drive Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation: Evidence From Sexual and Gender Minoritized Employees

Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice

Abstract

Research on individual entrepreneurial orientation (Ind.EO) has yet to reveal the psychological conditions under which employees demonstrate Ind.EO in the workplace. Addressing this gap, we theorize that authenticity is a crucial mechanism linking identity-specific support to Ind.EO expression, thereby introducing an identity perspective to Ind.EO research. Using two-wave survey data from 952 employees among sexual and gender minorities in 47 countries, a validation study of 135 participants, and qualitative interviews, we demonstrate that authenticity fully mediates the effect of identity-specific support on innovativeness and proactiveness, but not on risk-taking. These results expand Ind.EO theory by incorporating an identity-based psychological dimension.

Authors 4

1. Andrea Greven Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

2. Denise Fischer

   University of Bonn

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

3. Julian Schönauer corresponding Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

4. Malte Brettel Aachen

   WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

   WHU–Otto Beisheim School of Management, Vallendar, Germany