Exploring Negative Affect in Entrepreneurial Activity: Effects on Emotional Stress and Contribution to Burnout

Abstract

Purpose

Entrepreneurial activity is particularly rich in affective events, but these affective events are still underexplored compared to salaried work. Nevertheless, in small organizations, the running of the whole business may easily be impacted by the owner’s negative experiences.

Methodology/approach

To characterize these emotional lows, we undertook a mixed methods research study using a panel of 357 French small business owners. We collected their monthly work events 10 times and semantically categorized the negative ones. We weighted each category on its probability of occurrence and its emotional intensity of stress. Finally, we assessed the contribution of the cumulated events to the risk of burnout.

Findings

The findings of this study comprise a set of affective event categories applicable to business owners and entrepreneurs. Tables are ranked by times cited and intensity. Results of a regression analysis show that intensity of negative events is related to burnout, especially for younger and female employers.

Research implications

The findings of this study extend the affective events framework to self-employed, supply a rigorous and predictive inventory for future surveys

Practical implications

The results offer small business owners as well as carers an “emotional stressometer” to benchmark the aversive events of the entrepreneurial activity.

Social implications

Employer burnout caused by the experience of negative affective events affects the lives of employers and can carry across to non-work life.

Originality/value

This is the first study to develop a comprehensive list of negative affective events specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs, rather than salaried employees.

Citation

Lechat, T. and Torrès, O. (2016), "Exploring Negative Affect in Entrepreneurial Activity: Effects on Emotional Stress and Contribution to Burnout", Emotions and Organizational Governance (Research on Emotion in Organizations, Vol. 12), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 69-99. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1746-979120160000012003