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Daily Recovery Experiences of Japanese Small Business Owners and the Link with Well-Being and Ill-Being

Author

Listed:
  • Thurik, Roy

    (Erasmus School of Economics)

  • Kato, Masatoshi

    (Kwansei Gakuin University)

  • van der Zwan, Peter

    (Leiden University)

  • Kageura, Chihiro

Abstract

Numerous studies deal with the link between daily recovery experiences (DRE) and mental health for employees. Hardly any studies exist for small business owners. This is surprising given that their health is not just important for themselves but also for their environment (such as employees, clients, suppliers, networks). In the present study we analyse if this link also works for some 2,400 Japanese small business owners. Next to overall DRE, four dimensions of DRE are distinguished (detachment, relaxation, mastery, and control). Mental health is captured using well-being (psychological well-being and job satisfaction) and ill-being (burnout and stress). First, we compare our DRE levels with many other (employee) studies. Second, controlling for many phenomena including participating in nomikai (a typical Japanese custom of getting together after office hours), we show that the quality of overall DRE is positively linked to well-being, and negatively to ill-being. Third, like the quality of overall DRE, nomikai activities of the owner are positively linked to their psychological well-being and job satisfaction, and negatively to burnout and stress. Its role seems to be independent of that of the quality of DRE.

Suggested Citation

  • Thurik, Roy & Kato, Masatoshi & van der Zwan, Peter & Kageura, Chihiro, 2025. "Daily Recovery Experiences of Japanese Small Business Owners and the Link with Well-Being and Ill-Being," IZA Discussion Papers 18227, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18227
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Olivier Torrès & Roy Thurik, 2019. "Small business owners and health," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 53(2), pages 311-321, August.
    2. David Newman & Louis Tay & Ed Diener, 2014. "Leisure and Subjective Well-Being: A Model of Psychological Mechanisms as Mediating Factors," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 555-578, June.
    3. Olivier Torrès & Florence Guiliani & Roy Thurik, 2022. "Entrepreneurship and Health: an Existential Perspective," Revue de l'Entrepreneuriat, De Boeck Université, vol. 0(HS2), pages 11-32.
    4. Florence Guiliani & Olivier Torrès, 2018. "Entrepreneurship: an insomniac discipline? An empirical study on SME owners/directors," International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 35(1), pages 81-101.
    5. Jess Diamond & Kota Watanabe & Tsutomu Watanabe, 2020. "The Formation Of Consumer Inflation Expectations: New Evidence From Japan'S Deflation Experience," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 61(1), pages 241-281, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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