A cross-level study of entrepreneurial leadership influencing employees’ intrapreneurial behaviour in China: the role of promotion focus and team error management climate

Intrapreneurial behaviour, a distinct form of entrepreneurial behaviour, has garnered significant attention, yet management’s role in effectively fostering it among employees remains poorly understood. Drawing on regulatory focus theory, this study analyses data from 355 Chinese employees across 67 teams to construct a multi-level model. The findings indicate that entrepreneurial leadership positively influences intrapreneurial behaviour, with promotion focus serving as a cross-level mediator. Furthermore, the team error management climate positively moderates both the direct and indirect relationships between entrepreneurial leadership and intrapreneurial behaviour. This research enhances the theoretical and empirical understanding of how to motivate intrapreneurial behaviours in employees.