Predicting Entrepreneurial Burnout in a Moderated Mediated Model of Job Fit

Abstract

We introduce, and empirically test, a model of entrepreneurial burnout that highlights the relationships among job fit, entrepreneurial passion, destiny beliefs, and burnout. Using a sample of 326 individuals involved in entrepreneurial jobs, we tested the link between job fit and two forms of passion—harmonious and obsessive—and the moderating role of entrepreneurs' destiny beliefs about work (i.e., the belief that a successful career is “meant to be”). Findings illustrated that their job fit perceptions were positively related to harmonious passion, which in turn negatively predicted burnout. Additionally, the relationship between job fit and obsessive passion was moderated by destiny beliefs, such that it was positive at high and average levels of destiny beliefs. In turn, obsessive passion was positively related to burnout. We discuss implications for both theory and practice.

Entrepreneurial Passion: A Review, Synthesis, and Agenda for Future Research

“…In line with this definition, researchers have adapted Vallerand et al’s (2003) scales of harmonious and obsessive passion to fit the entrepreneurial setting, asking respondents to rate both dimensions of passion in relation to work activities associated with their entrepreneurial business. Although some researchers have used the seven‐item scales from Vallerand et al (2003) to measure harmonious and/or obsessive passion (Gielnik, Uy, Funken, & Bischoff, 2017; Stroe et al, 2018a, 2018b), others have used abbreviated scales comprising six items (Ho & Pollack, 2014; Stenholm & Nielsen, 2019), five items (Dalborg, von Friedrichs, & Wincent, 2015; Dalborg & Wincent, 2015; de Mol, Ho, & Pollack, 2018; Murnieks, Mosakowski, & Cardon, 2014; Obschonka et al, 2019; Thorgren & Wincent, 2015) and four items (Fisher, Merlot, & Johnson, 2018). Full or adapted versions of the scales have been used in 14 quantitative studies at the individual level.…”

“…Murnieks et al (2018) found that this relationship was significantly stronger for male entrepreneurs. Recent work has found a strong link between an entrepreneur’s person‐job fit and their harmonious passion (de Mol et al, 2018). However, they also found that the link between an entrepreneur’s person‐job fit was only related to their obsessive passion when destiny beliefs were high but not when they were low.…”

“…In contrast to other work which has found that motivational states such as entrepreneurial self‐efficacy generally predict entrepreneurial passion towards different activities/domains (Cardon & Kirk, 2015; Dalborg & Wincent, 2015), Murnieks et al (2014) found that harmonious passion predicted higher levels of entrepreneurial self‐efficacy amongst entrepreneurs. De Mol et al (2018) found that while harmonious passion was negatively related to burnout amongst entrepreneurs, obsessive passion was positively related to higher levels of burnout. Finally, Stroe et al (2018b) found that obsessive passion predicted use of a causal logic in entrepreneurial decision‐making, whereas harmonious passion predicted use of an effectual logic.…”

“…Prior work on entrepreneurial passion has typically focused on its relationship with positive entrepreneurial attitudes, behaviors, and both venture creation and performance. Although work on entrepreneurial passion and performance has rarely detected negative outcomes, recent work on entrepreneurial passion and burnout has revealed a positive link between obsessive passion and burnout (de Mol et al, 2018). In light of this work, future research might examine whether at too high levels, entrepreneurial passion, especially obsessive passion, may be linked to negative outcomes including impaired health or impaired psychological well‐being.…”

Examining Perceived Entrepreneurial Stress: A Causal Interpretation through Cross-Lagged Panel Study

“…Multiple roles place a higher demand on entrepreneurs and lessen their capabilities to perform [48][49][50][51]. Generally, entrepreneurs emotionally connect to their ventures, and hence, any results that are contrary to their expectations creates entrepreneurial stress [52,53]. Entrepreneurs show a desire for high achievement, and when their ambitious goals are unfulfilled, it can create perceived entrepreneurial stress [54].…”