Should I Stay or Should I Go? The Interplay Between Scientific and Entrepreneurial Passion in Shaping the Frustration–Intention Relationship in the Academia

Abstract

Academic careers come with many joys but are frequently accompanied by frustration. In the present study, we provide a multi-dimensional measure of academic frustration. Using a sample of 312 differently frustrated academics across the globe, our study develops a new perspective on academic frustration and academics’ intention to stay or leave academia. We empirically investigate the interaction between academic frustration and scientific and entrepreneurial passion in predicting four different intention outcomes: spin-off, startup, leaving academia, and changing university. Our findings indicate that scientific passion positively determines the intention to stay in academia, whereas entrepreneurial passion prompts academics to opt out of academic careers when overly frustrated. This study contributes to multiple literature and offers practical implications for academics and institutions. From a policy perspective, we seek to provide guidance on how to deal with the intentions and actions of frustrated academics.