Social Intrapreneurs: Rebels for Good

Abstract

This chapter makes the case for social intrapreneurs (SI) as the key to sustainable profit and social impact. SIs are individuals who straddle established organizations and society. While generating innovative ideas for new venture creation and strategic renewal for their companies, they also create lasting value for the society in which their organizations operate. The study begins with an expose on entrepreneurs, with whom intrapreneurs share many features. We then attempt to provide some conceptual clarity to the relatively new term of intrapreneurship, through the different paradigms in current literature. The social intrapreneur is then presented as the unique agent responsible for creating value for his company and for society. The chapter touches on the challenges and obstacles facing the expression of social intrapreneurship and the attributes that make them successful. We feature some cases, one on an intrapreneur and another on a social intrapreneur, concluding with lessons for successful social intrapreneurship.