Beyond the feed: social media, self-efficacy, and the gendered path to intrapreneurship

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal

Publication Date

6-1-2026

Abstract

This study examined the impact of social media on managers’ intrapreneurial behaviors in the hospitality industry, focusing on the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and the moderating effect of gender. It explored how social media enhances managers’ confidence in their intrapreneurial abilities and the gender-specific barriers that hinder such behaviors. This paper provides actionable insights for interventions in the Kuwaiti hospitality industry and beyond. Data were drawn from 102 managers across hotels, restaurants, and entertainment facilities who represented first-line, mid-level, and top management. Including these three managerial tiers enabled a comprehensive examination of how social media engagement predicts intrapreneurial behaviors across various organizational levels and degrees of operational involvement and strategic influence. By examining managers’ perspectives at different hierarchical levels, this study provides a nuanced understanding of how digital engagement translates into innovative, value-creating actions within organizations. The article focused on understanding the relationship between social media engagement, self-efficacy, and intrapreneurial behaviors. The findings showed that engagement with social media boosted strategic renewal and entrepreneurial action by increasing managers’ confidence to behave entrepreneurially. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy is crucial for turning social media engagement into tangible intrapreneurial outcomes, with gender differences shaping how these impacts unfold. This study also provides novel insights into how digital platforms facilitate intrapreneurial behavior, highlighting the importance of self-efficacy and gender. It offers a conceptual lens for understanding how managers can leverage social media to drive innovation within organizations. The results can guide hospitality firms aiming to encourage intrapreneurial actions among their managers.

ISSN

1554-7191

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Volume

22

Issue

2

Disciplines

Communication

Keywords

Entrepreneurial self-efficacy, Hospitality industry, Intrapreneurial behaviors, Social learning theory, Social media, Technology acceptance model

Scopus ID

105040570354

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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