No abstract

A two-stage research project utilizing grounded theory was conducted with 134 entrepreneurs to better understand their motivational factors. Utilizing spiritual concepts, researchers were able to discover a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurs. Initially, three distinct modalities of entrepreneurs were identified, which were expanded into five: ‘Make me Whole,’ ‘Soul Seekers,’ ‘Conflicting Goals,’ ‘Mostly Business’, and ‘Strictly Business’. Respondent comments that represent each of these modalities are presented and indicate various levels of dependency or independency on spiritually-oriented attributes.

This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurs' subjective well-being and flow, productivity, and intrinsically-based success or extrinsically-based success. Subjective well-being and flow have been studied in educational, health, and work environments; however, only recently has the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2013 examined well-being of entrepreneurs. In entrepreneurs it is particularly important because understanding the relationship between subjective well-being (happiness), and the factors of flow, productivity, and definition of success can influence entrepreneurial decision-making and overall firm performance. A survey of 191 entrepreneurs in Florida and California was used to collect data that was then analyzed using factor analysis, correlation, and regression. Entrepreneurial well-being was shown to increase with the presence of flow, intrinsic definitions of success, and productivity in entrepreneurs. Extrinsic factors that entrepreneurs use to define success, however, were negatively linked to well-being.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to examine the differences between entrepreneurs who see a connection between spirituality and work and those who do not. Design/methodology/approach -Data are collected and analyzed in two stages from in-depth interviews of 112 entrepreneurs. Key differentiators explored are related to money, ethical decision making, definition of success, and the entrepreneurs' desire to live an integrated lifestyle. Findings -No significant differences are found between the two groups along key demographic attributes; however, when applying characteristics of flow and play to the entrepreneur's work experiences, distinct differences between the groups are found. Originality/value -These findings suggest that holistically oriented entrepreneurs utilize the business as part of their spiritual path, and create an environment in which work and play are not perceived as separate work-related elements.

In one of the first studies to examine how positive affect, negative affect, gender, and gender roles interact with entrepreneurial intention, we conducted an online survey of 849 adults from the western, midwestern, and southern regions of the United States. A higher positive affect was associated with greater intention to start a business, however, lower levels of negative affect were not. As in previous studies, women showed less entrepreneurial intention than men, however, the presence of positive affect had a larger positive impact on women’s entrepreneurial intention than men’s. Contrary to expectations, acceptance of traditional gender roles interacted with entrepreneurial intention such that women’s entrepreneurial intention increased as their support of traditional gender roles increased, and for men, entrepreneurial intention decreased slightly as acceptance of traditional gender roles increased.