Digital Literacy and Intrapreneurial Behaviour in a Digital Age Workplace

In today’s rapidly evolving digital age, technologies are ubiquitous in organisational processes. In order for employees and organisations to remain competitive and future-proof, innovation is vital. Digital technology use fosters intrapreneurial behaviours (innovation, proactivity, risk-taking), rendering investigation into the digital literacy skills of employees relevant. This study aimed to empirically evaluate whether one’s digital literacy positively related to employees’ intrapreneurial behaviour, and how job characteristics of a digital age work environment (job autonomy and information overload) moderate this relationship. An online cross-sectional survey using pre-existing scales measured the levels of perceived digital literacy, intrapreneurial behaviour, job autonomy, and information overload of 113 full-time employees across occupations within Europe. The data was analysed using multiple linear regression analysis, followed by a moderation analysis of two independent moderators. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between digital literacy and intrapreneurial behaviour. Additionally, job autonomy was found to be positively associated with intrapreneurial behaviour, while information overload was negatively associated. The moderation effects of job autonomy and information overload were statistically insignificant. The findings provide novel empirical evidence between digital literacy and intrapreneurial behaviour, offering intervention strategies to enhance this positive effect, and contributing insights for the current development of various governmental-level digital competence initiatives. The findings also offer theoretical implications on personal resources within the JD-R theory.