RESEARCH DIRECTION ON ENTREPRENEURS’ MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA
Mwasiaji, E. T. - Department of Business Administration, School of Business, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Githae, E. N. - Department of Psychology, School of Humanities, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Ogutu, J. O. - Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
This study reviewed literature using a meta-analysis approach to identify gaps in the phenomenon of entrepreneurs’ mental health and its link to the objectives of the sustainability agenda within the context of coronavirus pandemic. The study established that progress on critical areas of the sustainability agenda has either stalled or reversed amidst coronavirus pandemic, with varied models being advanced on how best to realize the objectives of the sustainability agenda. The study also established that mental health and wellbeing has a role to play in an entrepreneurs’ decision making, motivation and action towards the realization of the sustainability agenda. However, studies on the relationship between entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs’ mental health have returned conflicting results with some indicating a significant correlation. Further, the reviewed literature has pursued discussions on the constructs of promoting entrepreneurs’ mental health separately from that of entrepreneurial competencies and government regulatory framework, in spite of the inferred indications that the three can be integrated to register impact on the objectives of the sustainability agenda. This study therefore argues that vulnerable people including those with mental illness will be left behind, though there is an opportunity to enhance action on the sustainability agenda if governments, academia and other stakeholders move beyond the current forms of engagement and have in place a programme to promote entrepreneurs’ mental health and a binding policy framework. This study has hence identified data gaps and came up with propositions for research investigation to promote entrepreneurs’ mental health, entrepreneurial competencies and legal framework in support of the realization of the global sustainability agenda.