The role of meaningful work and workplace attachment styles in predicting entrepreneurial well-being: insights from a structured sales network

Abstract

Introduction: The study explores how meaningful work (MW) and workplace attachment styles, secure (SE), anxious (AX), and avoidant (AV), predict entrepreneurial well-being within a structured sales network of a financial services firm. It further examines the moderating role of attachment styles and the contextual influence of regional leadership and team financial performance. Methods: Data were collected from 300 entrepreneurs using the Work and Meaning Inventory (WAMI), the Workplace Attachment Questionnaire (WAQ), and the Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Results: Regression analyses show that MW is a robust and consistent predictor of well-being, even after controlling for team-level sales performance and gender. AX initially appeared to amplify the positive relationship between MW and well-being, but this interaction effect diminished once objective financial performance metrics were included. SE to leaders was positively associated with well-being in psychological models but lost significance in the extended model, suggesting that financial performance may partially mediate its effects. Well-being varied significantly by regional leadership, even after adjusting for sales outcomes. Discussion: The findings underscore the importance of promoting MW, monitoring leadership impact across regions, and integrating subjective and objective indicators when assessing entrepreneurial well-being.