The aim of this study is to investigate how high-performance work practices (HPWPs) influence intrapreneurial behavior (IB) directly and indirectly through psychological capital (PsyCap), while examining the moderating role of task complexity on the relationship between HPWPs and PsyCap.
Data were gathered from employees working in Chinese companies across different sectors. Using a survey-based approach, we analyzed the relationships between HPWP, PsyCap and IB through structural equation modeling (SEM).
The findings show that HPWPs significantly enhance both IB and PsyCap, while PsyCap positively predicts IB. Mediation analysis confirmed that PsyCap partially transmits the effect of HPWPs on IB. Moreover, task complexity weakens the positive relationship between HPWPs and PsyCap, highlighting its role as a boundary condition.
This study adds new insights into the limited research on what fosters IB. By highlighting the importance of HPWPs and PsyCap, the findings offer practical takeaways for businesses looking to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship within their workforce in a Chinese context.
