96% of companies give their employees the opportunity to invest in their innovation strategy. But only 60% of them have implemented an intrapreneurship program. Yumana, a startup which develops a collaborative work platform, publishes its second intrapreneurship barometer. Two major findings emerge from the report: intrapreneurship takes a more strategic place in company plans and two subjects are at the heart of the programs, CSR and artificial intelligence. However, Yumana notes that organizations do not always provide resources consistent with their expectations.
But what is intrapreneurship? “It is the process by which one or more employees in association with their organization, engage and carry out innovative and value-creating activities on their own initiative. introduces Yumana.
Handling by general management
Little by little, intrapreneurship programs left the innovation departments to be supported by the general management of companies. 48% remain initiated by inno management but this is a share down by 22 points in 3 years. General management ranks second among initiators with 30% of programs. The perception of intrapreneurship is changing: companies are becoming aware of the value creation potential of these programs. Moreover, 80% of programs benefit from a dedicated budget and governance.
“To better understand this strategic realignment, let's take a moment back to 2021 where intrapreneurship programs are regularly challenged by General Management, due to the meager results they generate. To come out on top, program managers then decide to promote the resulting HR benefits, such as the influence of the employer brand, talent retention, or even employee training.”, analyzes Yumana.
Today, HR issues concern fewer and fewer programs. The subject is fourth in program priorities. Intrapreneurship focuses first on business issues, for 89% of programs, transformation, 61%, then performance for 52%.
CSR and AI at the center of intrapreneurship
Two subjects are major in the work of intrapreneurs: CSR and artificial intelligence. “A real groundswell,” insists Yumana in his barometer. 47% of employees surveyed note that the share of environmental and social projects is growing strongly and more than a third use AI in their system.
If CSR is not yet at the top of the pyramid of intrapreneurial priorities, it concerns 42% of projects, its challenges seem major for employees. “On the podium of the most successful projects since 2021, we find CSR projects in 3rd position, a sign of a strong desire among intrapreneurs to move the lines.”
For its part, artificial intelligence is increasingly used by intrapreneurs. It is crucial to increase program returns on investment: 56% use AI to accelerate the prototyping process, 50% to refine their value propositions and 50% to support intrapreneurs.
Intrapreneurship is modernizing and positioning itself little by little on the vital issues of the company and at the heart of these transformations. Unfortunately, Yumana notes that “only 39% of companies say they have defined quantified objectives for their intrapreneurship program in 2024”. A figure which also reveals that companies do not necessarily rely on these programs.
