Affect spin, entrepreneurs' well-being, and venture goal progress: The moderating role of goal orientation

• Published in: Journal of business venturing 2017-07, Vol.32 (4), p.443-460
• Main Authors: Uy, Marilyn A., Sun, Shuhua, Foo, Maw-Der
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Affect fluctuations; Affect spin; Goal orientation; Venture goal progress; Well-being
• ISSN: 0883-9026; 1873-2003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2016.12.001

Using two experience sampling studies, we examined the relationship between affect fluctuations (i.e., affect spin) and goal orientation on psychological well-being and venture goal progress of early-stage startup entrepreneurs. We found that the entrepreneur's affect spin negatively related to well-being (Study 1) and venture goal progress (Study 2). Goal orientation moderated these relationships. Specifically, high performance-approach goal orientation weakened the negative relationship between affect spin and psychological well-being (Study 1) and venture goal progress (Study 2); high learning goal orientation strengthened the negative impact of affect spin on well-being (Study 1) but not on venture goal progress (Study 2). We discussed the theoretical and practical implications of our study to affect in entrepreneurship research. •Entrepreneurs' affect spin negatively related to well-being and venture progress.•Performance-approach goal orientation weakened the affect spin to well-being link.•Performance-approach goal orientation weakened the affect spin to progress link.•Learning goal orientation strengthened the affect spin to well-being link.