This thesis explores the impact of gain-framed messages on psychological detachment from work among self-employed workers, considering the moderating effects of financial stress and message trust....Show moreThis thesis explores the impact of gain-framed messages on psychological detachment from work among self-employed workers, considering the moderating effects of financial stress and message trust. Using an experimental between-subject design with online surveys, 225 UK-based participants were randomly assigned to control or gain-framed message conditions. The gain-framed message conditions included health-gain and work-performance-gain. Surprisingly, participants in the control group showed more detachment than those in the message conditions, challenging previous literature. Contrary to the expectations, the moderating effects of financial stress and message trust were not found. Despite limitations, such as a sample limited to the UK and the use of a questionnaire, the research contributes new insights into messaging effects on preventive behaviors. It underscores the importance of context and individual differences in message reception and behavior, and urges future research to consider the effectiveness of gain-framed messages in motivating people to adopt certain behavior.Show less
People in debt often avoid contacting their creditors, a behaviour likely driven by feelings of shame. In the Netherlands, around one million households face significant debt, leading to stress and...Show morePeople in debt often avoid contacting their creditors, a behaviour likely driven by feelings of shame. In the Netherlands, around one million households face significant debt, leading to stress and shame, which exacerbates financial problems by hindering communication with creditors. This study investigates the impact of building shame resilience on reducing avoidance behaviours among debtors. Enhancing shame resilience means increasing individuals' sense of control over their situation and reducing feelings of being trapped. These factors can empower debtors to confront their financial problems rather than avoid them. Thus, an experiment involving 308 participants with financial distress evaluated the effectiveness of different versions of the same creditor letter. These messages were adjusted to either increase a sense of control, reduce feelings of being trapped, or serve as a baseline with no specific emotional content. The study hypothesised that these adjustments would lead to greater willingness to contact creditors and that gender might moderate the impact. Results showed that messages enhancing control or reducing feelings of being trapped significantly increased participants' willingness to engage with creditors. Although the hypothesis regarding gender moderation was not supported overall, women responded more positively to messages reducing feelings of being trapped. These findings suggest that supportive communication strategies addressing emotional barriers like shame can facilitate better debt management. The study's implications for policy and creditor practices emphasise prioritising psychological well-being to enhance financial stability.Show less
This study among 119 university students explored the relationship between individuals’ perceived financial stress and self-regulation on proactive career behaviours. According to the ego depletion...Show moreThis study among 119 university students explored the relationship between individuals’ perceived financial stress and self-regulation on proactive career behaviours. According to the ego depletion theory, financial worry takes a toll on one’s cognitive performance and reduces one’s likeliness to initiate career-building. Meanwhile, better-regulated individuals tend to exhibit more proactive career behaviours as they are thought to be better in maintaining long-term goals and focus. Pearson’s correlation and regression analyses revealed a significantly positive correlation between financial stress and proactive career behaviours instead. However, financial stress non-significantly predicted of the variance of proactive career behaviours in students. Furthermore, we found that self-regulation was indeed positively but non-significantly correlated to proactive career behaviours, and that the former was a non-significant predictor of the latter as well. In addition, a surprising negative association was found between self-regulation and financial stress. The growing necessity for university students to exhibit proactive career behaviours remains a topic of relevance in today’s modern working climate, thus having implications on policy implementations for low-income university students. The present study hence adds nuance to the growing body of research regarding university students’ motives behind acting proactively when managing their careers, in that proactive career behaviours may arise from a dynamic combination of different contextual and individual factors.Show less
The present research investigates the effects of gain-framed messages on psychological detachment from work among self-employed workers in the UK with gain-framed messaging. The research also aims...Show moreThe present research investigates the effects of gain-framed messages on psychological detachment from work among self-employed workers in the UK with gain-framed messaging. The research also aims to investigate the moderating role of financial stress as well as explore the role of earlier psychological detachment in the effect of gain-framed messages. With Prolific Academic, the research team collected data from 226 individuals using a two-wave after the exclusion of some participants, between-subjects design. Three groups of participants were formed: a control group, those who received a message about health benefits, and those who received a message about performance enhancement. This research partially fills a gap in the literature by focusing on the difficulties encountered by the self-employed (as opposed to employees), thus encouraging research and publication of articles on this subject. Additionally, the results show that financial stress did not significantly moderate the effect of performance- gain messages (vs. health-gain messages) on psychological detachment. As a results, the effectiveness of performance-gain messages (vs. health-gain messages) in increasing detachment does not depend on self-employed workers’ levels of financial stress. This study implies that psychological detachment isn't distinctively influenced by the kind of communication (health or performance-related), regardless of the degree of financial stress. The aforementioned findings underscore the significance of customized messaging strategies in fostering well-being among independent contractors, stressing the crucial interaction between content uniqueness and personal financial situations. Furthermore, the exploratory analysis examined whether the initial detachment from work had an impact on how gain messages influenced later detachment. While other factors explained later detachment, initial detachment from work itself did not make the messages any more or less effective.Show less
The current study looked at the effect of the perceived misfit between the sexual orientation of entrepreneurs (homosexual vs. heterosexual) and the type of business that they own (female vs. male...Show moreThe current study looked at the effect of the perceived misfit between the sexual orientation of entrepreneurs (homosexual vs. heterosexual) and the type of business that they own (female vs. male typed-business) on their perceived competence in the context of entrepreneurship by a third party. We proposed that the perceived misfit between homosexuality and male-type occupations play a key role in shaping the biased negative evaluations of homosexual men’s abilities and skills. We conducted a vignette study (N = 198) designed as a 2 (sexual orientation: homosexual vs. heterosexual) x 2 (gender-typed business: female-typed field vs. male-typed field) cross-sectional, between-subject experiment. The participants were recruited from Prolific Academic. Results showed a non-significant difference for both hypothesis. This may suggest that the current implicit inversion theory is in need of a revision as gender stereotypes of homosexual men are changing. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.Show less
Existing literature illustrates the discrimination experienced by workers in occupations viewed as gender-incongruent but fails to account for sexual orientation. Considering the implicit inversion...Show moreExisting literature illustrates the discrimination experienced by workers in occupations viewed as gender-incongruent but fails to account for sexual orientation. Considering the implicit inversion theory that homosexual individuals are viewed to share opposite-sex characteristics, the goal of this research was to answer whether the intention to purchase a female-typed service from a gay-owned business is more likely compared to a male-typed service. Additionally, we investigated whether prejudices against gay men moderate the effect of stereotype inversion. In an international survey, 120 adults rated their purchase intentions from either a gay-owned male- or female-typed service and prejudiced beliefs. Contrary to our expectations, the results demonstrated that purchase intentions were rated equally across both gender-typed services and prejudices had no moderating effect. The hypothesis that purchases intentions decline when prejudices against gay men are present was supported. This article address issues regarding the theory’s compatibility with our rapidly changing society and additional practical implications are discussed.Show less
Past research has suggested that work-life balance plays an important role in maintaining a healthy work environment and enhanced productivity, as well as improved mental and physical health (Zheng...Show morePast research has suggested that work-life balance plays an important role in maintaining a healthy work environment and enhanced productivity, as well as improved mental and physical health (Zheng et al., 2015). Work-life balance crafting intentions among entrepreneurs were investigated, given that a critical aspect behind maintaining a healthy work-life balance is one’s motivation to actually craft it. Two variables that may predict entrepreneurs’ intentions to craft and preserve a healthy work-life balance, growth intentions and workaholism, were thus examined in a cross-sectional study employing actual entrepreneurs (N = 172). The results of this study demonstrated that growth intentions were positively and significantly predictive of work-life balance, whereas workaholism was negatively and significantly predictive of work-life balance. The findings of this research provided supporting evidence that workaholism could lead to lower intentions of entrepreneurs to maintain a work-life balance, whereas growth intentions seem to predict a higher engagement in proactive behaviors aimed to maintain a work-life balance.Show less
In recent years, entrepreneurship has become an attractive career choice due to high levels of autonomy and job control. However, these characteristics are accompanied by high job demands and...Show moreIn recent years, entrepreneurship has become an attractive career choice due to high levels of autonomy and job control. However, these characteristics are accompanied by high job demands and boundarylessness between work and other life domains, which constitutes a challenge to maintain a work-life balance. Entrepreneurs’ engagement in work-life balance crafting is required to maintain a work-life balance, which can consequently affect general well-being. There is a lack of research on examining factors that contribute to differences in entrepreneurs’ engagement in WLB crafting. Accordingly, it was proposed that growth pursuit and psychological capital predict work-life balance crafting among entrepreneurs. A cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 142 entrepreneurs who were recruited via Prolific Academic. Results of the multiple regression analysis showed that psychological capital, but not growth pursuit, plays a significant role in WLB crafting engagement, which has beneficial theoretical and practical implications to enhance entrepreneurs’ work-life balance crafting engagement. The study provided novel empirical insight into the role of growth pursuit and psychological capital in entrepreneurs’ behaviors to craft their work-life balance.Show less
This thesis investigated characteristics that predict Work-Life Balance (WLB) crafting among entrepreneurs. Specific attention was paid to the roles of trait competitiveness and growth pursuit. The...Show moreThis thesis investigated characteristics that predict Work-Life Balance (WLB) crafting among entrepreneurs. Specific attention was paid to the roles of trait competitiveness and growth pursuit. The first hypothesis of the study was that competitiveness negatively predicts WLB crafting engagement among entrepreneurs. The second hypothesis was that competitiveness negatively and indirectly predicts WLB crafting engagement among entrepreneurs via growth pursuit. In this study, the answers of 139 valid participants were collected via Prolific Academic who had to be above 18 years of age and be entrepreneurs. The online survey consisted of questions regarding their demographics and businesses. Furthermore, answers regarding their levels of competitiveness, growth pursuit, and engagement in WLB crafting were collected. The analysis was done with a two-level hierarchical multiple regression analysisto analyze the data. Contrary to Hypothesis 1, findings showed that competitiveness did not significantly predict WLB crafting among entrepreneurs. Hypothesis 2 was also rejected as growth pursuit did not significantly mediate the relationship between competitiveness and WLB crafting. The findings lent support to the notion that competitive people are not less likely to engage in WLB crafting activities. Moreover, growth pursuit was not predicted by competitiveness, and did not enhance the understanding of the relationship between competitiveness and WLB crafting.Show less
Entrepreneurship has been found one of the most stressful professions due to the overall pressure and need for achievement it comprises. Entrepreneurs often fail to bring the balance between the...Show moreEntrepreneurship has been found one of the most stressful professions due to the overall pressure and need for achievement it comprises. Entrepreneurs often fail to bring the balance between the work and life domain, which leads to weaker job performance as well as well- being. However, entrepreneurs’ work life balance crafting engagement has found to bring various positive personal, organizational and financial outcomes. But what determines the extent to which entrepreneurs will engage in such behaviors? To answer this question, there are two hypotheses. Firstly, growth pursuit will negatively predict WLB crafting engagement and secondly conscientiousness will positively predict WLB crafting engagement among entrepreneurs. Part of a bigger cross-sectional study, 144 entrepreneurs, recruited from Prolific, participated on an online survey and were part of a two-stage hierarchical multiple regression analysis (MRA). The analysis indicated positive non-significant results for both growth pursuit and conscientiousness. Contradicting the study’s hypotheses as well as indications of past research, this thesis gives valuable insights with regards to why some entrepreneurs engage in WLB crafting more than others. Limitations, suggestions for future research as well as implications of the present study are discussed in detail.Show less
Entrepreneurs are widespread and make up for a lot of the proportion of small businesses, this makes them a crucial group to include in research. Despite that fact entrepreneurs have been...Show moreEntrepreneurs are widespread and make up for a lot of the proportion of small businesses, this makes them a crucial group to include in research. Despite that fact entrepreneurs have been strikingly absent in research concerning work-life balance (WLB) crafting. In this paper an entrepreneur sample (N=142) is used to assess the relation between growth pursuit and WLB crafting and between perceived behavioural control and WLB crafting. Multiple Regression Analysis was used to assess the predictive effect of these factors on WLB crafting in SPSS. Contrasting our hypothesis based on limited resources research it was found that growth pursuit positively predicts WLB crafting. This finding is probably explained by other research which states that people who engage in WLB crafting also have the time and motivation to pursue growth because they have a good WLB. The hypothesised effect of perceived behavioural control on WLB crafting was found to be positive and significant which was in line with our hypothesis based on an array of research which all pointed to a positive effect of perceived behavioural control on target behaviour. This is explained by the fact that people who believe they can do something actually will while others who do not believe will not even try to engage in that behaviour. Limitations and future research directions (especially into mechanisms that explain the found results) are discussed. Theoretical and practical, particularly programs which could boost work-life balance crafting and the benefits thereof, implications are discussed.Show less
Sexual minorities may experience discrimination in workplaces, for instance, due to the perceived incongruence between stereotypes attributed to sexual orientation and gendered work. This paper...Show moreSexual minorities may experience discrimination in workplaces, for instance, due to the perceived incongruence between stereotypes attributed to sexual orientation and gendered work. This paper aims to study the effects of this perceived incongruence on entrepreneurs' performance trust. We hypothesise that homosexual entrepreneurs receive lower evaluations than heterosexual entrepreneurs in a male-typed business, and that homosexual entrepreneurs receive lower evaluations in a male than female-typed business. We conducted a vignette study (N = 200) designed as a 2 (sexual orientation: homosexual vs. heterosexual) x 2 (gender-typed business: female-type field vs. male-type field) cross-sectional, between-subjects experiment with participants recruited from Prolific Academic. Both hypotheses were not supported, suggesting that the context of the entrepreneur, acceptance towards sexual minorities, possession of masculine and feminine traits, and performance may play a bigger role in performance trust than the stereotypes associated with them.Show less
Greatly inspired by Pierro et al.’s (2013) study on need for closure, the current study investigated whether high need for closure individuals outsource economic decisions in an influencer...Show moreGreatly inspired by Pierro et al.’s (2013) study on need for closure, the current study investigated whether high need for closure individuals outsource economic decisions in an influencer marketing context, similar to how Pierro et al.’s (2013) found high need for closure individuals to outsource organizational decisions to opinion leaders. Based on previous scientific literature a research model was developed to test the following two hypotheses: social media influencer credibility has a positive effect on purchase intentions towards influencer-promoted products, and the positive relation between social media influencer credibility and purchase intentions is moderated by need for closure, in a way that high NFC individuals have greater purchase intentions compared to low NFC individuals. A simple linear regression and a process model 1 moderation analysis were performed to test the hypotheses. Social media influencer credibility was found to have a significant positive effect on purchase intentions. Need for closure was not found to moderate this positive relation. The former finding replicated, strengthened, and extended findings from previous research to an influencer marketing context. Limitations, theoretical and practical implications, and suggestions for future research are discussed as well.Show less
