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The Pursuit of Happiness - Satisfaction from Employment and Entrepreneurship

Roos, Karl LU and Tarras-Wahlberg, Hampus LU (2017) ENTN19 20171
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
On average, entrepreneurs have lower incomes than employed individuals,
work longer hour, and endure more stress. In spite of the grim reality, research
has consistently shown entrepreneurs are more satisfied with their lives than
employees.
Through interviews with three former employees who have all
undergone a transition to entrepreneurship, this study brings an in-depth
understanding of how a set of individuals perceive this transformative journey.
The interviews have been analaysed by drawing upon insights from research on
procedural utility - the notion that people value processes at work more than
outcomes - and the job characteristics model framework (JCM), which has
recently been adapted for entrepreneurship research. The... (More)
On average, entrepreneurs have lower incomes than employed individuals,
work longer hour, and endure more stress. In spite of the grim reality, research
has consistently shown entrepreneurs are more satisfied with their lives than
employees.
Through interviews with three former employees who have all
undergone a transition to entrepreneurship, this study brings an in-depth
understanding of how a set of individuals perceive this transformative journey.
The interviews have been analaysed by drawing upon insights from research on
procedural utility - the notion that people value processes at work more than
outcomes - and the job characteristics model framework (JCM), which has
recently been adapted for entrepreneurship research. The JCM framework
implies an increase in different variables (Task Variety, Task Significance, Task
Identity, Feedback, and Autonomy) will lead to an ensuing increase in job
satisfaction. In turn, job satisfaction correlates positively with overall life
satisfaction.
Our results show the interviewees perceived their employment as more
interesting in relation to all variables but one: autonomy. However, all
perceived themselves as more happy in their entrepreneurial lives, which
suggests autonomy is a source of utility and motivation which potentially
trumps all other identified variables in terms of its significance for satisfaction.
Additionally, two new variables - labelled social context and responsibility -
were identified as possible precursors for satisfaction, which we suggest are
further explored in future research on the area. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Roos, Karl LU and Tarras-Wahlberg, Hampus LU
supervisor
organization
course
ENTN19 20171
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Procedural Utility, Job Characteristics Model, Entrepreneurs, Satisfaction, Happiness, Autonomy.
language
English
id
8918205
date added to LUP
2017-07-03 16:36:11
date last changed
2017-07-03 16:36:11
@misc{8918205,
  abstract     = {{On average, entrepreneurs have lower incomes than employed individuals,
work longer hour, and endure more stress. In spite of the grim reality, research
has consistently shown entrepreneurs are more satisfied with their lives than
employees.
Through interviews with three former employees who have all
undergone a transition to entrepreneurship, this study brings an in-depth
understanding of how a set of individuals perceive this transformative journey.
The interviews have been analaysed by drawing upon insights from research on
procedural utility - the notion that people value processes at work more than
outcomes - and the job characteristics model framework (JCM), which has
recently been adapted for entrepreneurship research. The JCM framework
implies an increase in different variables (Task Variety, Task Significance, Task
Identity, Feedback, and Autonomy) will lead to an ensuing increase in job
satisfaction. In turn, job satisfaction correlates positively with overall life
satisfaction.
Our results show the interviewees perceived their employment as more
interesting in relation to all variables but one: autonomy. However, all
perceived themselves as more happy in their entrepreneurial lives, which
suggests autonomy is a source of utility and motivation which potentially
trumps all other identified variables in terms of its significance for satisfaction.
Additionally, two new variables - labelled social context and responsibility -
were identified as possible precursors for satisfaction, which we suggest are
further explored in future research on the area.}},
  author       = {{Roos, Karl and Tarras-Wahlberg, Hampus}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Pursuit of Happiness - Satisfaction from Employment and Entrepreneurship}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}