When the tank is empty: Reviewing burnout in entrepreneurship

Abstract

Entrepreneurial burnout, a psychological syndrome resulting from chronic stressors, is a growing issue with significant implications for individual well-being and economic outcomes. While entrepreneurship is widely celebrated for fostering innovation and personal fulfillment, its psychological costs remain underexplored. This study systematically reviews 47 articles (1992–2023) to examine entrepreneurial burnout across disciplines, frameworks, and methodologies. Key gaps identified include limited conceptual clarity, inconsistent measurement, and insufficient focus on entrepreneurs as a distinct group. Using a narrative synthesis, we propose a comprehensive framework to clarify burnout’s antecedents, consequences, and mitigation strategies, alongside a precise definition of entrepreneurial burnout, distinguishing it from stress and general well-being. Our findings advance entrepreneurship literature by addressing the rising interest in entrepreneurial well-being, providing practical insights for entrepreneurs, organizations, and policymakers to mitigate burnout and enhance sustainability. This work contributes to developing more supportive entrepreneurial ecosystems and a deeper understanding of well-being in entrepreneurship.