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Positive Stress and Reflective Practice Among Entrepreneurs

Author

Listed:
  • Kati Tikkamäki

    (University of Tampere, School of Social Sciences and Humanities)

  • Päivi Heikkilä

    (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland)

  • Mari Ainasoja

    (School of Information Sciences, University of Tampere)

Abstract

While heavy stress loads seem an unavoidable aspect of entrepreneurship, the positive side of stress (often referred to as ‘eustress’) remains a neglected area of research. This paper contributes to entrepreneurship research by linking the research streams of eustress and reflective practice. As a tool for analysing and developing thoughts and actions, reflective practice plays an important role in the interpretative work essential to positive stress experiences. Following an overview of approaches to stress at work, eustress and reflective practice, the paper explores how entrepreneurs experience the role of positive stress and reflective practice in their work and describes the reflective tools utilized by entrepreneurs in promoting eustress. The research process was designed to support reflective dialogue among the 21 Finnish entrepreneurs from different fields who participated in the study, with results based mainly on qualitative interviews. Nine of the interviewed entrepreneurs also kept a positive stress diary, including a three-day physiological measurement analysing their heartbeat variability. The findings suggest that positive stress and reflective practice are intertwined in the experiences of entrepreneurs and illustrate the role of reflective practice as a crucial toolset for promoting positive stress, comprising six reflective tools: studying oneself, changing one’s point of view, putting things into perspective, harnessing a feeling of trust, regulating resources and engaging in dialogue. Individual reflective capabilities vary, and a theory-driven division of reflective practice into individual, social and contextual dimensions is considered useful in understanding those differences. The research offers a starting point for exploring how eustress and reflective practice affect the well-being of entrepreneurs

Suggested Citation

  • Kati Tikkamäki & Päivi Heikkilä & Mari Ainasoja, 2016. "Positive Stress and Reflective Practice Among Entrepreneurs," Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation, Fundacja Upowszechniająca Wiedzę i Naukę "Cognitione", vol. 12(1), pages 35-55.
    • Handle: RePEc:aae:journl:v:12:y:2016:i:1:p:35-55
    DOI: 10.7341/20161212
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wilmar Schaufeli & Marisa Salanova & Vicente González-romá & Arnold Bakker, 2002. "The Measurement of Engagement and Burnout: A Two Sample Confirmatory Factor Analytic Approach," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 71-92, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kapasi, Isla & Rosli, Ainurul, 2020. "The practice of “we”: A framework for balancing rigour and relevance in entrepreneurship scholarship," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 14(C).

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