Special Interest Group on Work-Life Issues Among Entrepreneurs

This special issue aims to expand our understanding of the work-life interface of independent workers as a continually evolving multi-actor, multi-perspective, multi-level interface. READ MORE IN THE CALL BELOW

To uncover the roles of work-life management for entrepreneurs and during the entrepreneurial processes. The aim of this edited book is to set a field of research “Entrepreneurial work-life experiences” at the intersection of Entrepreneurship research and work-life research.

This review presents a synthesis and a critique of the development of the existing work-family (WF) literature during the last decade in order to highlight gaps and limitations in current research. The study revises 83 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and conference presentations (2004-2014) related to WF in economics, management and psychology disciplines, and classifies the current research into three broad themes for future research paths: i) definitions and theories; ii) background and outcomes of WF conflict, balance and enrichment; and iii) methodological gaps. Advances have been made this decade on meta-analysis and the understanding of the positive side of WF interface. Future research opportunities in this field will include a deeper understanding of how to effectively cope with WF conflict, how to achieve WF enrichment, the use of different methods (qualitative, longitudinal and experimental studies) on samples of new occupations, and how researchers could address methodological problems (causality, endogeneity, simultaneity, effect size, and self-selection bias) to better handle the complexity of WF issues.

This review presents a synthesis and a critique of the development of the existing work-family (wf) literature during the last decade in order to highlight gaps and limitations in current research. the study revises 83 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and conference presentations (2004-2014) related to wf in economics, management and psychology disciplines, and classifies the current research into three broad themes for future research paths: i) definitions and theories; ii) background and outcomes of wf conflict, balance and enrichment; and iii) methodological gaps. advances have been made this decade on meta-analysis and the understanding of the positive side of wf interface. Future research opportunities in this field will include a deeper understanding of how to effectively cope with wf conflict, how to achieve wf enrichment, the use of different methods (qualitative, longitudinal and experimental studies) on samples of new occupations, and how researchers could address methodological problems (causality, endogeneity, simultaneity, effect size, and self-selection bias) to better handle the complexity of wf issues.

Entrepreneurship is an ancient trade in world history but its formal study pioneered by Schumpeter and Drucker is fairly recent. Then there is still a great deal to learn and particularly about women’s participation in entrepreneurship and economic activity. A field that has intensified in the last decades with increasing prospects to foster change and economic development at global scale given that women are 52% of the world population. A global study conducted by McKinsey shows that women’s participation in economic activity will be one of the key elements to foster productivity, economic growth and social development in the future. The authors of this PDW undertake the challenge to assess the past, present and future of women entrepreneurs and project women as agents for positive change to increase well-being at individual and collective level, including families, communities and economies worldwide and reduce income inequality worldwide.

This paper examines differences between the presently self-employed (SE Present; n D 727: Business Owners D 249; independents D 478) with organizationally employed individuals who intend to become self-employed (SE Aspirants; n D 538) using the National Study for the Changing Workforce. We tested 11 hypotheses derived from the job demands-resources and conservation of resources theories. The strongest differences between SE Present and SE Aspirants were autonomy, hours worked, turnover intentions, and work interfering with family. No significant gender differences were found. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

This study examined differences between self-employed married women (N=206) who were independently self-employed (ISE) and those whose self-employment involved owning a business with employees (Owners). ISEs were significantly more likely to report higher flexibility in managing work and family, that their schedule met their needs, and higher job satisfaction. Owners reported significantly higher work interfering with family (WIF), work hours, and were more likely to attend to work demands over family demands. Regression analysis revealed differential predictors of WIF for ISEs and Owners. Schedule fit, work hours, and depression were significant for ISEs. Life satisfaction was significant for Owners.