Straddling Security and Autonomy : A Closer Look at Hybrid Entrepreneurs' Well-Being

Titelangaben

Albrecht, Nadine ; Reinecke, Pauline Charlotte ; Boddington, Monique ; Isidor, Rodrigo:
Straddling Security and Autonomy : A Closer Look at Hybrid Entrepreneurs' Well-Being.
In: Academy of Management Proceedings. (2025) Heft 1 .
ISSN 2151-6561

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Abstract

Hybrid entrepreneurs balance building new ventures with the security of paid employment. This hybrid approach, however, can act as a double-edged sword: On one hand, financial stability and security enable hybrid entrepreneurs to offset the risks of launching start-ups, potentially enhancing their well-being. On the other hand, restricted autonomy and the difficulty of balancing multiple roles can lead to elevated stress levels, ultimately reducing their overall well-being. Drawing on arguments of energizing tensions and role conflict, we develop a new theory on how eight hybrid entrepreneurs experience and navigate their well-being over time. Our findings from a qualitative, longitudinal study (a total of 12 months of data collection in up to three interview waves) enrich research on hybrid entrepreneurship and well-being in three ways. First, we reveal two distinct types of hybrid entrepreneurs—those aspiring to transition to full-time entrepreneurship and those aiming to sustain hybrid careers—and show how their differing aspirations shape well-being tensions and coping strategies. Second, we identify nuanced well-being challenges and coping mechanisms, demonstrating how negative tensions can be reframed into positive, energizing ones. Third, we highlight how well-being tensions, including negative experiences, can paradoxically drive entrepreneurial persistence and motivation.