A Framework to Study Start-Up Conditions, Burn-Out and Start-Up Success
Journal
Academy of Management Proceedings
ISSN
0065-0668
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2014-08-01
Author(s)
Abstract
Due to their potential to create innovation and jobs, business start-ups are positively associated with economic growth. However, seizing entrepreneurial opportunities requires founders not only to contribute mentally, but also expend physical effort. The stress that founders experience during start-up bears a high risk of provoking burn-out symptoms, which in turn jeopardizes the start-up’s success and the founders’ well-being. Yet, despite their practical relevance, no empirical study has so far shed light on the conditions leading to burn-out symptoms and their consequences in the start-up context. Thus, to set the stage for an international initiative to empirically research this topical field, we develop hypotheses, formulate research propositions, and identify well-suited and validated survey instruments for measuring the key constructs. The suggested research framework is suitable for answering two interlinked research questions: (1) What impact do start-up conditions have on the development of burn-out symptoms of founders? (2) What impact do burn-out symptoms of founders in the start-up phase have on start-up success and the founders’ well-being? The paper contributes to the scientific and practical dialogue on the conditions that are conducive to successful start-ups by placing special emphasis on the founders’ mental and physical well-being. It takes the academic research community as well as policy makers, funding agencies, health-sector representatives and entrepreneurs one decisive step closer towards a support framework for innovative start-ups, which adequately takes into account the founders’ well-being and which, thus, accommodates developed countries’ struggle for sustainable economic growth.
Language
English
Publisher
Academy of Management
Publisher place
Philadelphia, PA
Event Title
74th Academy of Management Annual Meeting (AOM) 2014 "The Power of Words"
Event Location
Philadelphia, PA
Event Date
01-05.08.2014
Subject(s)
Eprints ID
253670