21. An employee of a company is working to start a separate division. This project is out of the employee's normal duties and has not been assigned by the supervisor. However, it is important that this project will be completed. Which intrapreneurship activity describes this project?
Answer: C
Bootlegging describes this project.
Bootlegging refers to employees engaging in projects that are not officially sanctioned or assigned by their supervisors but are pursued nonetheless because of their potential value. In this case, the employee is working on a separate division outside their normal duties, exemplifying the essence of bootlegging.
A) Skunkworks
Skunkworks typically involve a small, loosely structured group of people who work on advanced or secret projects, often with some level of official support. While the project may resemble skunkworks in its innovative approach, it lacks the necessary endorsement from the supervisor, which is a key aspect of skunkworks initiatives.
B) Motivation to excel
Motivation to excel pertains to the intrinsic drive of an employee to perform at their highest level and achieve outstanding results. Although this motivation may be present in the employee's pursuit of the project, it does not specifically encompass the unauthorized nature of the work being done, which is central to bootlegging.
C) Bootlegging
Bootlegging is characterized by employees pursuing innovative projects without formal approval from management. This answer accurately reflects the situation where the employee is taking initiative on a project that is outside their prescribed duties, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit within the organization.
D) Opportunity obsession
Opportunity obsession refers to a strong focus on identifying and pursuing business opportunities. While this concept may apply to the employee's ambition to start a new division, it does not capture the unauthorized aspect of the project, which is crucial for defining bootlegging.
Conclusion
The correct answer, bootlegging, effectively describes the employee's initiative to work on a project outside their assigned duties without supervisory approval, emphasizing the entrepreneurial approach taken in this context. Other options either mischaracterize the nature of the project or fail to address the key elements of unauthorized pursuit that bootlegging encapsulates.