What Makes Entrepreneurs Happy? Psychological Flexibility and Entrepreneurs' Satisfaction

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbvi.2021.e00263
• Publication Date: 2021-07-17T11:03:46Z
• Authors: Joeri van Hugten; Zainab-Noor el He...; Jacqueline Brassey; Johanna Vanderstr...; Nele Cannaerts; Ellen Loots; Wim Coreynen; Arjen van Wittelo...
• Keywords: Economics; ESHCC A&CS; 05 social sciences; Satisfaction; SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth; Entrepreneurs; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being; 0502 economics and business; 8. Economic growth; and Infrastructure; Psychology; Psychological flexibility; Innovation; SDG 9 - Industry

This paper investigates entrepreneurs' satisfaction. We conceptually replicate and extend Carree and Verheul’s (2012) Dutch study on the drivers of entrepreneurs' satisfaction with data from Belgian entrepreneurs. Thus, we respond to the need to replicate more in the (social) sciences, including entrepreneurship studies. The ‘extension’ aspect contributes novel theoretical understanding and empirical explanatory power of entrepreneurs' satisfaction. Specifically, the paper introduces psychological flexibility as an important new predictor of entrepreneurs' satisfaction. Indeed, we provide evidence that entrepreneurs with greater psychological flexibility are, on average, more satisfied.