Thesis
Exploring entrepreneurial well-being of the self and the world : towards a dynamic view of being and becoming in a transnational context
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2026
- Thesis identifier
- T18110
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 202289774
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- This thesis advances a critical rethinking of Entrepreneurial Well-Being (EWB) by challenging dominant paradigms, which, it argues, are instrumental in prioritising profit maximisation and adopting static-individualistic conceptions of well-being, such as happiness and satisfaction. Inspired by Daoist philosophy, this thesis introduces a dynamic, relational, temporal and fluid framework as a new ontology that reconceptualises EWB as a continuous cyclical process of being and becoming and an interplay between self and world. This approach foregrounds the interdependence of self and world, and the intersubjective tensions inherent in entrepreneurial life. Its theoretical contribution lies in the development of a transcultural model of EWB that synthesises Eastern and Western philosophical traditions, including Daoism, Existentialism, and Psychological theory. This integrative lens offers a non-dualistic understanding of entrepreneurial experience, emphasising harmony, adaptability, and naturalness as guiding principles. Adopting an interpretivist stance, the study uses abductive reasoning and reflexive narrative inquiry across 66 life‑history interviews with transnational entrepreneurs in Shanghai, illuminating the emotional, cultural, and relational textures of their lived experience; the researcher’s biographical embeddedness enriches the interpretation. Findings show entrepreneurial journeys are emotionally volatile (anxiety/loneliness to joy/fulfilment) and often arise as value‑aligned bids for autonomy and purpose, rejecting constraining corporate norms and dominant business cultures. The significance of relatedness, as manifested through interpersonal relationships, cultural belonging, and community engagement, emerges as central to EWB. Transnational entrepreneurs demonstrate a capacity to navigate and integrate diverse cultural and business ecosystems, leveraging their hybrid identities to foster innovation and resilience. A salient theme is the orientation towards service and social impact, with many entrepreneurs deriving meaning from helping others and contributing to collective well-being. Pleasure and joy are frequently associated with creative engagement, autonomy, and the pursuit of meaningful work. Entrepreneurship, for these individuals, becomes a mode of intentional living, enabling the integration of lifestyle and values. Philosophically, the thesis contributes to a new ontology of EWB by framing it as a lifelong, evolving process of becoming grounded in the cultivation of virtue, such as courage, wisdom, and integrity. It reconceptualises modern poverty not in terms of material scarcity, but as a lack of time, health, and spirituality, highlighting the existential pressures shaping contemporary entrepreneurial life. Within this framework, entrepreneurship is understood as an ethical and relational mode of being- a means of navigating uncertainty, self-expressing, and co-creating a more humane and sustainable world
- Advisor / supervisor
- Shaw, Eleanor
- Lassalle, Paul
- Casulli, Lucrezia
- Resource Type
- DOI
Relations
Items
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Visibility | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
PDF of Thesis T18110 | 2026-08-27 | Public | Download |