Purpose over pressure: Rethinking entrepreneurial success and mental health through Ikigai

Mohamad, Maliani and Md Isa @ Yusuff, Yusrinadini Zahirah and Ab Wahab, Nur Yuhainis and Alias, Siti Nur Aisyah (2026) Purpose over pressure: Rethinking entrepreneurial success and mental health through Ikigai. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Management Practices (IJEMP), 9 (33). pp. 675-682. ISSN 2600-8750

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Abstract

Entrepreneurial discourse has traditionally been dominated by performance-driven metrics such as profit, growth, and scalability, often at the expense of entrepreneurs’ psychological health and sense of purpose. While research on entrepreneurial well-beinghas gained traction, there remains a lack of integrative frameworks that explicitly connect personal fulfilment with sustainable entrepreneurial success. This conceptual paper addresses this gap by proposing the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai as a theoretical lens for rethinking entrepreneurial motivation and outcomes. Drawing on positive psychology, Eastern philosophy, and entrepreneurship studies, the paper advances a model that situates entrepreneurial success at the intersection of passion, competence, social contribution, and financial viability. By reframing success through Ikigai, the paper contributes to the discourse on entrepreneurial resilience and well-being, offering a holistic pathway toward sustainable and human-centred entrepreneurship.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Entrepreneur’s mental health, Entrepreneurial success, Ikigai, Mental health, Success
Divisions:	Faculty of Technology Management and Technopreneurship
Depositing User:	Sabariah Ismail
Date Deposited:	13 Jul 2026 07:40
Last Modified:	13 Jul 2026 07:40
URI:	http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/30199
Statistic Details:	View Download Statistic

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