Entrepreneurial play as a resource for well-being among entrepreneurs

Purpose In the current paper, we focus on the play behaviour of entrepreneurs, which we refer to as “entrepreneurial play”. We distinguish between two forms of entrepreneurial play – diversionary and serious play – and investigate their relationships with outcomes of well-being (psychological well-being and work satisfaction) and ill-being (work stress and burnout). Design/methodology/approach Drawing on conservation of resources (COR) theory, we conceptualise entrepreneurial play – both serious and diversionary – as work-embedded personal resources that foster well-being. We use data from entrepreneurs who run small businesses. Findings Our results reveal that serious play is associated with higher levels of well-being and lower levels of ill-being, whereas diversionary play is only associated with higher levels of work satisfaction. Practical implications These results challenge assumptions about the universal benefits of detachment from work and underscore the need for occupation-specific models of well-being. This study also advances the understanding of play as a strategic behavioural resource in entrepreneurship, with implications for sustaining mental health in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Originality/value Our study contributes to the burgeoning literature on entrepreneurs’ health and well-being by identifying entrepreneurial play as a potential antecedent to entrepreneurs’ sense of well-being. Also, our work contributes to COR theory by identifying a new work-embedded personal resource – entrepreneurial play (diversionary and serious play) – which can lead to gain spirals that foster well-being.