Spaces of IT intrapreneurial freedom: a classic grounded theory

Abstract

This paper addresses the question of fostering and developing innovation in IT companies and IT departments. This paper uses a Classic Grounded Theory based on interviews with CEOs, CIOs, IT Managers and IT employees. Spaces of IT Intrapreneurial Freedom (SoIF) is the theoretical core category of our model. SoIF has several characteristics related to its establishment and maintenance (e.g. Protecting the SoIF, Leaving the space) and is composed of seven lower-level concepts (e.g. material SoIF, Organizational Freedom). In addition, through the development of SoIF, we suggest that CEO, IT entrepreneurs, CIO and IT managers can improve the retention and innovativeness of their best and most innovative IT intrapreneurial employees.