In the dynamic landscape of global entrepreneurship, the well-being of entrepreneurs has emerged as a critical dimension influencing both personal success and broader economic outcomes. A recent comprehensive study published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications delves deeply into the trajectory of entrepreneurial well-being research over the past fifty years, uncovering vital insights that promise to redefine how scholars and practitioners understand this intricate nexus. By synthesizing academic discourse with trends from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, the research offers an unparalleled vantage point on how well-being, often overlooked in early entrepreneurial studies, now takes center stage as both a driver and an outcome of entrepreneurial endeavors.
Entrepreneurial well-being transcends traditional measures of business success, such as profit margins or growth rates, by encompassing psychological health, life satisfaction, and socio-emotional fulfillment. The study underscores that well-being is neither a static state nor simply a consequence of entrepreneurial activities but a dynamic phenomenon shaped by multifarious factors including individual attributes, organizational contexts, and cultural milieus. Such a holistic view challenges researchers to adopt multi-level analytical frameworks that consider micro-level personal traits alongside meso-level work-organizational models, integrating value systems, meaning-making processes, and broader societal influences.
One of the pivotal contributions of this research is its mapping of the intellectual terrain—pinpointing leading authors, influential publications, and collaborative networks that have propelled entrepreneurial well-being into scholarly prominence. This cartography not only facilitates newcomers’ navigation through the dense literature but also illuminates the interdisciplinary nature of well-being studies, bridging psychology, sociology, economics, and business management. Furthermore, it flags the emerging themes and methodological innovations, signaling promising avenues for future inquiry that span quantitative metrics and qualitative narratives.
Perhaps the most striking revelation pertains to the geographic distribution of entrepreneurial well-being research. As the study reveals, a disproportionate concentration of scholarship originates from developed economies, creating a skewed intellectual ecosystem that neglects the diverse realities of entrepreneurship in emerging and developing countries. This imbalance has critical ramifications. From an academic perspective, it implies missed opportunities to understand how contextual factors in these environments—ranging from informal economies to resource constraints—interact with well-being. At the same time, it lays bare systemic inequities in research resource allocation, publication accessibility, and citation practices, underscoring the need for deliberate policy interventions.
The situation is equally consequential for policymakers and practitioners operating in diverse economic settings. Recognizing compositional differences in entrepreneurial ecosystems calls for context-specific strategies that prioritize well-being as a foundational element of sustainable entrepreneurial success. In particular, the research highlights the necessity of differentiated support mechanisms that accommodate the unique pressures faced by entrepreneurs in what are termed “Level C” economies—nations characterized by rapidly evolving but still developing market structures, where entrepreneurs encounter heightened uncertainty and self-imposed performance imperatives.
At the core of entrepreneurial well-being in these contexts lies a paradox: entrepreneurs often experience “the free obligation to produce,” a phenomenon articulated by Han (2020), which encapsulates the self-directed pressures and expectations that accompany autonomy. Unlike traditional employment frameworks, entrepreneurship in many Level C economies imposes an onerous internal demand to generate value and maintain viability without robust external scaffolding. It is within this crucible of responsibility and individual agency that well-being becomes a profoundly complex construct, necessitating finely tuned research that captures both its positive catalytic and deleterious psychosocial dimensions.
Methodologically, the study advocates for an inductive research approach, especially salient in under-explored developing economies. The emphasis on induction empowers scholars to generate grounded theory that emerges organically from lived experiences rather than imposing preconceived frameworks forged predominantly in Western contexts. This approach is critical to addressing pragmatic challenges and advancing decent work conditions for entrepreneurs. The proverbial Chinese caution, “talk doesn’t cook rice,” encapsulates the urgent imperative to shift the discourse from abstraction to actionable interventions that improve entrepreneurs’ quality of life on the ground.
Furthermore, the research suggests expanding the analytic lens to incorporate micro and meso-level variables as a means of capturing entrepreneurship’s multi-dimensional nature. Micro factors include cognitive and affective characteristics of individual entrepreneurs, such as resilience, optimism, and stress tolerance. Meanwhile, meso-level models explore organizational culture, work-life integration, and normative values—themes that intersect closely with well-being. This dual focus allows for nuanced understanding of how subjective experiences and structural conditions coalesce to shape entrepreneurial outcomes.
Cultural context emerges as another critical variable shaping entrepreneurial well-being. The study highlights how differing cultural frameworks imbue entrepreneurial practices with distinct meanings and priorities, influencing motivation, coping strategies, and support systems. This cultural heterogeneity underscores the fallacy of one-size-fits-all policy prescriptions, advocating instead for culturally sensitive programs that recognize local values and social norms while fostering well-being-enhancing behaviors.
The research also touches upon the evolution of scholarship itself, illustrating how well-being has transitioned from a marginal topic to a multidisciplinary field integrating insights from positive psychology, occupational health, and economic development. This trajectory mirrors broader societal shifts placing increasing emphasis on mental health, work satisfaction, and human flourishing as integral components of economic policy and business practice. Consequently, entrepreneurial well-being research occupies an influential position at the intersection of myriad academic and practical domains.
Notably, the study’s comprehensive bibliometric analysis reveals extensive collaborative networks and intellectual clusters that have shaped discourse over decades. Identifying thought leaders and high-impact publications elucidates the landscape for emerging scholars seeking to contribute meaningfully to this critical field. Equally, the identification of gaps in geographic and thematic coverage offers targeted opportunities for research funding bodies to foster more inclusive, diverse scholarship.
For practitioners, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders, the research offers valuable takeaways. First, it reaffirms that well-being is not merely a personal luxury but a necessary condition for sustained entrepreneurial productivity and innovation. Recognizing and addressing the psychological and socio-cultural dimensions of entrepreneurship can enhance not only individual fulfillment but also organizational performance and economic resilience.
Finally, in contexts where entrepreneurial ecosystems are nascent or fragile, the study underscores the urgency of supportive infrastructure—ranging from policymaking that enables decent work conditions to institutional reforms that reduce barriers to resource access. Such systemic changes are imperative for transforming entrepreneurial well-being from an academic concept into tangible improvements in the daily lives of entrepreneurs across diverse settings.
In conclusion, this seminal research provides a robust foundation for the next generation of scholarship in entrepreneurial well-being. It challenges researchers to embrace complexity, prioritize inclusivity, and balance theoretical innovation with practical relevance. By doing so, the field can meaningfully contribute to global economic development, social equity, and the flourishing of individuals who dare to forge their own paths in an increasingly uncertain world.
Subject of Research:
The study investigates the evolution and current state of entrepreneurial well-being research, combining bibliometric analysis and thematic exploration to understand well-being as both a determinant and outcome of entrepreneurial success across different economic contexts.
Article Title:
A half-century perspective of entrepreneur’s well-being: comparing academic and global entrepreneurship monitor trends.
Article References:
Barbosa, R., Barbosa, M., Pérez-Nebra, A.R. et al. A half-century perspective of entrepreneur’s well-being: comparing academic and global entrepreneurship monitor trends. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 12, 746 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04869-x
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