Well-being Of Entrepreneurs Research Articles

Entrepreneurial well-being of expatriate entrepreneurs: self and world

PurposeThis paper explores the Entrepreneurial Well-Being (EWB) of expatriate entrepreneurs in China. Through the analysis of their contextualised lived experience across the entrepreneurial journey, the paper proposes a novel theorisation of EWB.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts an interpretivist approach of abductive reasoning to analyse the data from 50 in-depth interviews conducted with expatriate entrepreneurs in China. Expatriate entrepreneurs are confronted with enhanced challenges in their host country, leading to particular emotional engagement with the entrepreneurial journey.FindingsFindings show the importance of life situations, emotions and relatedness in the entrepreneurial process and the EWB of expatriate entrepreneurs. Theorising from their lived experiences, the paper presents EWB as a dynamic process. It further theorises this process as a constant, ongoing interaction and integration between the self and world, in an interplay of being and becoming. Such theorisation contributes first to advancements in the EWB literature, with a stronger emphasis on the entrepreneurial aspect. The paper also contributes to discussions on contextualised entrepreneurship by stressing the role of emotions and relatedness in the pursuit of EWB.Originality/valueEntrepreneurship is a global phenomenon, which is often presented as a suitable alternative career path for migrant and expatriate individuals. However, the importance of EWB for entrepreneurs requires further attention from policy-makers, support institutions and entrepreneurs themselves. By theorising EWB as a processual journey of being and becoming and the relation between the self and world, this paper opens avenues for innovative support policies and practices aiming at developing the full potential of individuals in entrepreneurship and promoting both the happiness index and the global index of society.

Subjective well-being of entrepreneurs during COVID-19 pandemic: a bibliometric analysis

Subjective well-being of entrepreneurs during COVID-19 pandemic: a bibliometric analysis

Firm resilience, stressors, and entrepreneurial well-being: insights from women entrepreneurs in Ghana

PurposeThis study draws on the conservation of resources logic to theorize the role of firm resilience in explaining variations in entrepreneurial well-being under varying conditions of supply chain disruption and dependency ratio.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses ex-post survey data from 373 women entrepreneurs in diverse agricultural supply chains in Ghana, a sub-Saharan African country. Moderated regression analysis is employed to test the research hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicate that firm resilience has both positive and negative relationships with economic and subjective well-being, depending on the level of supply chain disruption and dependency ratio women entrepreneurs face. Notably, the findings suggest that firm resilience contributes more to economic and subjective well-being of women entrepreneurs when dependency ratio is low and supply chain disruption is high.Originality/valueThe study integrates firm resilience research and entrepreneurial well-being literature to provide new insights into theorizing and analyzing the benefit of firm resilience for women entrepreneurs’ well-being.

Envisioning the Future: The Role of Passion in Eudaimonic Well-Being of Entrepreneurs

Envisioning the Future: The Role of Passion in Eudaimonic Well-Being of Entrepreneurs

Mindfulness Enhances Entrepreneurial Well-Being Through Supporting Co-Founder Goal-Coordination

Mindfulness Enhances Entrepreneurial Well-Being Through Supporting Co-Founder Goal-Coordination

The influence mechanism of women’s entrepreneurial self-identity on entrepreneurial well-being: evidence from China

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how women’s entrepreneurial self-identity influences their experience of well-being through entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approachThis study tested and validated a model using survey data from 210 women entrepreneurs in China. Hierarchical regression and bootstrapping methods were used to test the hypotheses.FindingsThis study finds that women’s entrepreneurial self-identity not only has a direct positive effect on entrepreneurial well-being but also an indirect positive effect on entrepreneurial well-being through the mediating role of entrepreneurial work autonomy and work meaning. Moreover, in mediation analyses, the autonomy and meaning of entrepreneurial work simultaneously mediate the relationship between women’s entrepreneurial self-identity and entrepreneurial well-being, and further play a chain mediating role between the two.Originality/valueLittle is known about how women perceive well-being through entrepreneurship. Moreover, the available literature has mostly overlooked the impact of women’s entrepreneurial self-identity on their entrepreneurial well-being. This study reveals the influence mechanism from the perspectives of identity and self-determination theories, with a focus on women entrepreneurs in China.

Aging and entrepreneurs' emotional exhaustion: The role of entrepreneurial strategy, psychological capital, and felt age gap

In this paper, we draw from the theory of social and emotional aging to examine the mechanisms of age-related emotional exhaustion among entrepreneurs. Based on longitudinal data from a sample of 840 entrepreneurs in four European countries, our study shows that, with increasing biological age, entrepreneurs experience less emotional exhaustion due to their enhanced psychological capital and because they apply less entrepreneurial strategies which focus on the creation of new market opportunities and the development of new products and services. In addition, we highlight the still under-explored role of entrepreneurs' felt age gap by demonstrating that, among the same age-group, individuals who feel younger than their biological age gain well-being benefits because they possess higher levels of psychological capital and become less exhausted from the application of entrepreneurial strategies. In conclusion, our study offers two significant contributions to the literature on entrepreneurial well-being. First, we introduce the concept of the ‘Hebe Effect in entrepreneurship’, named after the Greek goddess of youth, which demonstrates how feeling younger than one's biological age acts as a buffer against stress and protects entrepreneurs from the strains of entrepreneurship. Second, we deepen understandings of how entrepreneurs' strategic choices evolve over their lifespan and influence their personal well-being. These insights also carry practical implications for aging societies that promote entrepreneurship across individuals' lifespans. Executive summaryThis study addresses a critical gap in the entrepreneurship literature on aging and well-being by examining how age influences emotional exhaustion among entrepreneurs. Despite significant research conducted on aging and entrepreneurship, studies have yet to explore the interplay between biological age, subjective age, and emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, the manner in which entrepreneurs subject themselves to, and protect themselves from, emotional exhaustion across their lifespans remains severely underexplored. This lacuna is particularly striking given global trends of increased life expectancy, the burgeoning number of older individuals engaging in entrepreneurship, and the risks posed by emotional exhaustion to entrepreneurial efforts and individuals' lives, as well as the societal costs related thereto.By using the theory of social and emotional aging (SEA), we investigate how biological age and subjective age impact entrepreneurs' emotional exhaustion. Our longitudinal study, based on data from 840 entrepreneurs across four European countries, reveals that older entrepreneurs experience less emotional exhaustion than their younger peers. This is due to their increased psychological capital and reduced engagement in strategies focused on new market opportunities and product development. Additionally, entrepreneurs who subjectively feel younger than their biological age benefit from higher psychological capital and are less affected by the emotional strain of entrepreneurial strategies.Our research introduces the ‘Hebe Effect in entrepreneurship’, illustrating that feeling younger than one's biological age serves as a buffer against emotional exhaustion. This effect is mediated by enhanced psychological capital and the strategic choices made by entrepreneurs as they age. By developing and testing the novel Age-Strategy-PsyCap-Exhaustion (ASPE) model, we demonstrate how biological age and felt age gap jointly influence entrepreneurs' emotional exhaustion through psychological capital and strategic choices. The study makes significant contributions to both theory and practice. The concept of the Hebe Effect in entrepreneurship provides a new lens through which to understand how subjective age can protect entrepreneurs from emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, our ASPE model offers a comprehensive framework for explicating the mechanisms through which age-related factors impact entrepreneurial well-being.From a practical perspective, our findings suggest important policy implications for aging societies. Encouraging entrepreneurship among older adults can yield well-being benefits and enhance resilience, thus underscoring the value of an inclusive approach to entrepreneurial support. In addition, specifically tailored support mechanisms that consider both biological and subjective aging can help mitigate emotional exhaustion, thereby fostering sustainable entrepreneurial activities across all ages. In conclusion, this study advances our understanding of the complex relationship between aging and entrepreneurial well-being, offering valuable insights for both academic research and practical applications in promoting a healthy and resilient form of entrepreneurship.

Unpacking the relationship between sense of place and entrepreneurs’ well-being

AbstractThis exploratory study develops an understanding of how the hitherto under-investigated psychological dimension of place affects entrepreneurs’ well-being. The analysis focuses on eudaimonic well-being, which describes individuals’ psychological functioning and fulfillment of their best potentials and is relatively underexplored compared to hedonic well-being (happiness). Based on prior work in environmental psychology, the study proposes that entrepreneurs’ sense of place—their psychological bond with the local setting of their entrepreneurial activities—is an important component influencing their well-being. The empirical analysis of two waves of original survey data from entrepreneurs located in an urban and a rural region of Finland shows that the sense of place is positively associated with several dimensions of eudaimonic well-being. This study extends the literature by shifting the focus from place as a passive container for entrepreneurs’ activities to its role as an active source of entrepreneurial well-being.

What science says about entrepreneurs' well-being: a conceptual structure review

PropósitoEl objetivo de este estudio es explorar la evolución de la investigación sobre el bienestar emprendedor (BE) en las últimas tres décadas. Examinamos 525 artículos científicos publicados en revistas académicas.Diseño/metodología/enfoqueLa metodología utilizada incluyó indicadores bibliométricos de actividad basados en términos y relaciones para la evolución conceptual a través de mapas científicos, diagramas estratégicos y tendencias temáticas.HallazgosLos resultados revelaron los términos más frecuentemente utilizados por los investigadores y cómo han cambiado con el tiempo, así como los temas de tendencia y las palabras clave más populares. El análisis de co-palabras proporcionó una visión dinámica de la evolución de la investigación en este campo, permitiendo la identificación de las áreas temáticas más relevantes y su evolución.Originalidad/valorOfrece percepciones prácticas y aplicables, contribuyendo con recomendaciones concretas para mejorar el bienestar de los emprendedores, vinculando de manera significativa la teoría y la práctica.

Unlocking entrepreneurial well-being: exploring the interplay of psychological capital and impostor phenomenon

Purpose The purpose of this empirical investigation was to explore the interrelationship between psychological capital (PsyCaP) and impostor phenomenon (IP) experienced by entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach The researchers performed exploratory data analysis, using a correlation matrix that included the composite score of all PsyCap dimensions (psychological capital questionnaire [PCQ-24]) and the factor scores of hope, self-efficacy, resilience and optimism. The data analysis was conducted in relation to participants’ IP scores. Findings The study results demonstrated that a negative relationship was present between entrepreneurs’ Clance impostor phenomenon scale (CIPS) factor scores (consisting of hope, self-efficacy, resilience and optimism) and PsyCap dimensions (PCQ-24) composite subscales. This indicated that higher levels of PsyCaP were associated with lower levels of IP experience by entrepreneurs. Research limitations/implications Theoretically, it must be noted that, based upon these study results, both “impostor phenomenon” and entrepreneurial identity formation occurred among entrepreneurs. It was known to be associated with external environmental, situational and societal factors. The researchers established the relationship between entrepreneurs’ “impostor phenomenon” and “psychological capital (PsyCap)”. Practical implications Entrepreneurs and executives associated with business accelerators and incubators should comprehend the link between IP and PsyCap in entrepreneurs. This would enhance the well-being of entrepreneurs in their challenging context. Entrepreneurs and executives associated with business accelerators and incubators might explore the effectiveness of PsyCap-based interventions, along with IP-related considerations. Originality/value This was one of the first empirical studies investigating and establishing the relationship between entrepreneurs’ “impostor phenomenon” and “psychological capital (PsyCap)”.

The Impact of Empowerment on Women Entrepreneurial Intention in Lebanon: The Mediating Effect of Work–Life Balance

The article explores the relationships between different forms of empowerment—psychological, social, political and economic and their influence on work–life balance and women’s start-up intentions in Lebanon. The study also investigates the mediating role of work–life balance in these relationships. Utilizing a sample of 380 Lebanese women, the study employs factor analysis, reliability analysis, regression models and mediation analysis to examine the direct and indirect effects of different empowerment variables on work–life balance and start-up intentions. The study reveals statistically significant correlations between various types of empowerment and work–life balance. Work–life balance acts as a mediator between the empowerment variables and entrepreneurial intentions. The partial mediation suggests that while work–life balance plays a significant role, other factors may contribute to women’s start-up intentions. The study is limited by its sample size and reliance on self-reported data. It is context-specific to Lebanon, and the results may not be generalizable to other cultural contexts. Despite these limitations, the findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners and scholars interested in women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship. The study offers essential guidance for developing programmes and policies to empower Lebanese women to launch their businesses. By understanding the role of work–life balance, interventions can be more effectively tailored to improve entrepreneurial well-being and entrepreneurial activity.

Examining incubated and nonincubated startups from fear of failure and entrepreneurial well-being during crises

PurposeThis research aimed to examine entrepreneurial fear of failure and entrepreneurial well-being from the perspectives of incubated and nonincubated startups during crises.Design/methodology/approachData were collected by distributing online questionnaires to 152 respondents comprising 43 incubated and 109 nonincubated startups in Indonesia. A multivariate discriminant analysis procedure was used to examine the interrelationships between both groups at the discovery, validation, customer creation and construction stages.FindingsThe result showed a significant difference between these startups at various stages, which was analyzed to provide insights into the relevant dimensions of fear of failure for startups. The essence of entrepreneurial well-being during crises is in accordance with the role of business incubators in an emerging market economy.Practical implicationsStartups need to innovate in order to grow while considering other factors such as work-life balance and financial resource availability. This is important to ensure they have sufficient motivating dosage of fear of failure.Originality/valueThe present study evaluates incubated and nonincubated startups in an emerging market economy by using both the entrepreneurial fear of failure and well-being to capture possible differences between groups. The context of pandemic crises helps us formulate appropriate approaches taken by incubators and startups in the future crises.

Relationships between well-being, resilience, leadership, and perceived success in SME owners-managers of Ecuador

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of entrepreneurial success among owners and managers of Ecuadorian SMEs through the relationship between variables such as business efficiency, psychological resilience and perceived entrepreneurial leadership. We surveyed 385 SME owners and managers in Ecuador and employed hierarchical linear modeling to analyze the data. The findings of this article suggest that entrepreneurial well-being, psychological resilience, and entrepreneurial leadership perceived by owners and managers of Ecuadorian SMEs are positively correlated with entrepreneurial success. There may be a tendency to associate success with economic performance. The practical implications of this study are that owner-managers of SMEs can use the developed measurement scale to evaluate their success and identify areas where they may need support or improvement and develop strategies to foster the best possible business experience. The study also provides insights into factors affecting entrepreneurial success and highlights the importance of promoting a positive entrepreneurial experience. In addition, the study contributes to literature by identifying some limitations and identifying areas for future research.

Will I be Able to Function Effectively Pandemic and its Effect on Entrepreneurial Wellbeing and Post-COVID-19 Functioning

Will I be Able to Function Effectively Pandemic and its Effect on Entrepreneurial Wellbeing and Post-COVID-19 Functioning

Will I be able to function effectively Pandemic and its effect on entrepreneurial well-being and post-COVID-19 functioning

Will I be able to function effectively Pandemic and its effect on entrepreneurial well-being and post-COVID-19 functioning

Development and validation of a measure of the entrepreneurial well-being of Chinese entrepreneurs

Development and validation of a measure of the entrepreneurial well-being of Chinese entrepreneurs

Dynamics of entrepreneurial well-being: Insights from computational theory

We explore the dynamics of entrepreneurial performance and well-being through computational theory. Our model connects mechanisms of work-related motivation and strain processes with the unfolding of an entrepreneurial process. The simulation results show that how an entrepreneur’s energy ebbs and flows over their journey, charting certain venturing performance and levels of well-being, can be linked to distinct interplays of ambition, skill, self-regulation, and dynamism. Our work contributes a holistic account of entrepreneurship and well-being, stimulates computational modelling, and enriches discussions about the entrepreneurial future of work.

Entrepreneurial well-being and performance: antecedents and mediators

Entrepreneurial well-being is tied to increasing firm performance because entrepreneurs possess additional resources to invest in their businesses. However, research integrating antecedents, specific mechanisms related to the emergence of entrepreneurial well-being (EWB), and performance is scarce. Furthermore, the collective impact of their roles as entrepreneurs and individuals outside the work context is yet to be investigated concerning venture performance. The present study addresses these issues by presenting and testing a comprehensive model employing entrepreneurs’ psychological capital as an antecedent of EWB and, indirectly, performance. We investigate this relationship through a serial mediation mechanism enabled by work engagement and entrepreneurial satisfaction regarding entrepreneurs’ work roles. Also, we employ work-life balance and mental health as mediators regarding their home roles. Drawing on data from 217 Romanian entrepreneurs, structural equation modeling analyses supported our model. PsyCap was a precursor of entrepreneurial satisfaction both directly and through work engagement. Also, PsyCap predicted entrepreneurs’ mental health directly and through work-life balance. Furthermore, both EWB components – entrepreneurial satisfaction and mental health – were associated with business performance. Hence, our model provides valuable insights regarding the interplay between entrepreneurs’ work and home roles and their relation to EWB and venture performance. It also provides the basis for future interventions that can psychologically prepare entrepreneurs to be successful in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Opportunity recognition ability for entrepreneurs from the affective perspective: how and when?

Purpose Applying the broaden-and-build theory, this paper aims to examine the effect of entrepreneurial wellbeing (EWB) on the opportunity recognition (OpR) ability and how it changes over entrepreneurial stages. Design/methodology/approach This study was based on the survey data of 307 entrepreneurs in Vietnam, which is an emerging market with full support for entrepreneurship by the government. Findings The results indicated that EWB has a salient effect on the OpR ability of entrepreneurs. Besides, in the later stages of the entrepreneurial process, EWB increases in its importance toward the ability to recognize potential business opportunities. Originality/value This study contributes to EWB and entrepreneurship research by providing theoretical and empirical evidence of wellbeing as a crucial psychological resource in entrepreneurship. Besides, this study uncovers the dynamic nature of entrepreneurship by analyzing when EWB can produce higher levels of entrepreneurs’ OpR along entrepreneurial stages.

Career shock and the impact of stress, emotional exhaustion, and resources on entrepreneurial career commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate how a career shock, like the COVID 19 pandemic, decreases entrepreneurial career commitment (ECC). The authors look at the specific effect of career shock on stress and emotional exhaustion mediating the commitment, and how organizational and relational resources offset the shock to keep the entrepreneurs committed to their career.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a two-wave sample of 365 entrepreneurs collected four months apart. The authors initially recruited entrepreneurs three months after the pandemic started, then four months later, and tested these ideas with longitudinal data. The design was informed by the stress-strain-outcome (SSO) model to investigate career shock as stressors to entrepreneurs that are likely to produce emotional exhaustion and a decline in ECC.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that career shock affects stress, which in turn leads to a decline in commitment through the mediation effect of emotional exhaustion. Organizational resources (e.g. access to finance) do not impact ECC, stress or emotional exhaustion. However, relational resources (e.g. quality emotional support) are important for ECC by supporting a decrease in stress and emotional exhaustion.Research limitations/implicationsThis study makes three main contributions. Firstly, it advances career shock research in entrepreneurship, emphasizing its role in explaining entrepreneurial career commitment through stress-strain mediation. Secondly, it adds to the understanding of entrepreneurial career commitment and its impact on persistence in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial exit. Lastly, it supports the relevance of the Stress-Strain-Outcome model in entrepreneurship, demonstrating how career shock can decrease entrepreneurial career commitment through stress and emotional exhaustion. Further research is needed to explore the interaction of career identity and career planning in maintaining career resilience amidst career shocks.Practical implicationsThis study has practical implications for policymakers and service providers in entrepreneurship. It highlights the significance of resources, particularly relational resources, in maintaining psychological health and entrepreneurial career commitment (ECC). The findings support the importance of the Stress-Strain-Outcome (SSO) model in entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for entrepreneurs to have access to relational resources as coping mechanisms. Policymakers and service providers should focus on enhancing entrepreneurs' capacity to acquire, protect, and develop relational resources. Additionally, the study suggests that entrepreneurs should seek access to both relational and organizational resources to effectively navigate career shocks, such as the pandemic. Further research is needed to explore the role of other types of resources, such as social capital and psychological capital, in entrepreneurial well-being and persistence.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates that a career shock affects stress, which in turn leads to a decline in commitment only through the mediation effect of emotional exhaustion. The panel/longitudinal data analysis demonstrates the causality in the process, highlighting the positive role of the entrepreneur's relational resources. Specifically, it shows that an increase in access to relational resources causes a decrease in stress and emotional exhaustion, which in turn causes ECC to improve. Entrepreneurs are ill-equipped to face a career shock if they lack these resources.