Work to live or live to work: Influence of entrepreneurs’ social identity on meaningful work

Abstract

Purpose: The meaning of work has shifted from an abstract ideal to a central career criterion, particularly for entrepreneurs who design their own roles. We examine how founders’ social identity (FSI) profiles, Darwinian, Communitarian, and Missionary, shape the distinct facets of meaningful work (MW). Design/methodology/approach: Using structural equation modelling of cross-sectional survey data from 322 German entrepreneurs, we tested the relationships between their FSI profiles and perceptions of MW (Positive Meaning, Meaning-Making, and Greater-Good motivation). Findings: Our findings reveal that Missionary founders significantly enhance MW by aligning with societal goals and personal growth. Darwinian identity elevates positive meaning by reinforcing achievement and competition cues. In contrast, Communitarian founders exhibit more complex and less pronounced effects on MW, suggesting that their community-focused values do not translate as straightforwardly into broader or individual perceptions of MW. Originality: This is the first study to link the content of founders’ social identity profiles to specific MW dimensions, extending MW research beyond job-design factors and refining social identity theory with eudaimonic outcomes in the entrepreneurial context. The results provide practical guidance for entrepreneurs and organizations. Aligning job design and work environments with FSIs can enrich the MW experience, foster personal fulfillment, and, in turn, support overall organizational performance.