Skip to main content

Experience of Aging as an Opportunity for Entrepreneurship Among the Elderly

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Research on Elderly Entrepreneurship

Abstract

The aging process is associated with physical, cognitive, and social changes in one’s life that individuals have to cope with and with a redefinition of one’s priorities and objectives in life. Whereas these changes are mainly defined as difficulties to overcome, they may stand also as an opportunity to explore new possibilities of personal development and self-achievement. Entrepreneurship can illustrate this positive process. In this chapter, we focus on the experience of aging and the perception of time horizon and its role in the understanding of the entrepreneurial intention among the elderly. By presenting different theories, such as the socio-emotional selectivity theory, the SOC model (selection, optimization, compensation), the continuity theory, and the psychological development theory, we suggest individual variables related to subjective aging that may explain entrepreneurial intention among the elderly.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Atchley, R. C. (1993). A continuity theory of normal aging. The Gerontologist, 29, 183–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Austad, S. N. (1997). Why we age: What science is discovering about the body’s journey through life. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1990). Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation. In P. B. Baltes & M. M. Baltes (Eds.), Successful aging: Perspectives from the behavioral sciences (pp. 1–34). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Becker, E. (1973). The denial of death. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blau, Z. S. (1956). Changes in status and age identification. American Sociological Review, 21, 198–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Botham, R., & Graves, A. (2009, August). The grey economy: How third age entrepreneurs are contributing to growth. London: NESTA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowling, A., & Dieppe, P. (2005). What is successful ageing and who should define it? BMJ, 331, 1548–1551.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carstensen, L. L. (1992). Social and emotional patterns, a support for socioemotional selectivity theory. Psychology and Aging, 7(3), 331–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, L. (2000). The creative age: Awakening human potential in the second half of life. New York: Avon Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewhurst, S. A., & Parry, L. A. (2000). Emotionality, distinctiveness, and recollective experiences. Memory, 7, 129–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, E. H. (Ed.). (1963). Youth: Change and challenge. New York: Basic books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Filipp, S. H., & Klauer, T. (1986). Conceptions of self over the life span: Reflections on the dialectics of change. In M. M. Baltes (Ed.), The psychology of aging (pp. 67–205). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, B. J., & Specht, D. (1999). Successful aging and creativity in later life. Journal of Aging Studies, 13(4), 457–472.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flood, M. (2005). A mid-range nursing theory of successful aging. Journal of Theory Construction & Testing, 9(2), 35–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fortner, B. V., & Neimeyer, R. A. (1999). Death anxiety in older adults: A quantitative. Death Stud, 23, 387–411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fowler, J. (1981). Stages of faith. San Fransisco: Harper and Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankl, V. E. (1984). Man’s search for meaning (Revised and updated). New York: Washington Square Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (1998). Selection, optimization and compensation as strategies of life-management. Psychology and Aging, 13, 531–543.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2002a). Strategies of selection, optimization and compensation: Measurement by self-report and construct validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(4), 642–662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2002b). Strategies of selection, optimization and compensation: Measurement by self-report and construct validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(4), 642–662. Review, Death Studies, 23(5), 387–411.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, J., Pyszczynski, T., & Solomon, S. (1986). The causes and consequences of the need for self-esteem: A terror management theory. In R. F. Baumeister (Ed.), Public self and private self (pp. 189–212). New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Guiot, D. (2006). Un cadre d’analyse du processus de vieillissement et de son influence sur le comportement d’achat du consommateur âgé. Recherche et Applications en Marketing, 21(1), 57–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Havighurst, R. J. (1969). Human development and education. New York: McKay.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heckhausen, J., & Schulz, R. (1995). A life-span theory of control. Psychological Review, 102, 284–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holstein, M. B., & Minkler, M. (2003). Self, society, and the “new gerontology”. The Gerontologist, 43(6), 787–796.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, A., Aaker, J., & Gardner, W. (2000). The pleasures and pains of distinct self-construals: The role of interdependence in regulatory focus. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78(6), 1122–1134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lubart, T., & Georsdottit, A. S. (2004). Créativité, haut potentiel et talent. Psychologiefrançaise, 49(3), 277–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • McAdams, D. P., Diamond, A., de St Aubin, E., & Mansfield, E. (1997). Stories of commitment: The psychosocial construction of generative lives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 72, 678–694.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCoy, S. K., Pyszczynski, T., Solomon, S., & Greenberg, J. (2000). Transcending the self: A terror management perspective on successful aging. In A. Tomer (Ed.), Death attitudes and the older adults: Theories, concepts and applications (pp. 37–63). Philadelphia: Brunner – Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moschis, G. P. (1996). Life stages of the mature market. American Demographics, 18(9), 44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neugarten, B. L. (1979). Time, age, and the life cycle. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 7, 887894.

    Google Scholar 

  • Partouche-Sebban, J., Benmoyal-Bouzaglo, S., & Guiot, D. (2012). Les stratégies d’ajustement au vieillissement des consommateurs âgés. In D. Guiot et B. Urien (Eds.), Le consommateur âgé, Opportuités pour la société et pour l’individu (pp. 35–49). Éditions DeBoeck Supérieur.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenblatt, A., Greenberg, J., Solomon, S., Pyszczynski, T., & Lyon, D. (1989). Evidence for terror management theory I: The effects of mortality salience on reactions to those who violate or uphold cultural values. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 681–690.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, J. W., et Kahn, R. L. (1998). Successful aging. New York, Pantheon Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. H. (2006). Best news yet on the six-factor model of well-being. Social Science Research, 35, 1103–1119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Safraou, I. (2008). Besoin de cognition et besoin d’émotion: des variables individuelles stables ou des construits dynamiques variant en fonction de l’âge chronologique.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiffman, L. G., & Sherman, E. (1991). Value orientations of new-age elderly: The coming of an ageless market. Journal of Business Research, 22(2), 187–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, G., & DeNoble, A. (2003). Early retirees as the next generation of entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 27(3), 207–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R. B., & Moschis, G. P. (1984). Consumer socialization of the elderly. In T. C. Kinnear (Ed.), Advances in consumer research (Vol. 11, pp. 548–552). Provo: Association for Consumer Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, S., Greenberg, J., & Pyszczynski, T. (1991). A terror management theory of social behavior: The psychological functions of self-esteem and cultural worldviews. In M. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 24, pp. 91–159). Orlando: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Staudinger, U., & Fleeson, W. (1996). Self and personality in old age: A sample case of resilience? Development and Psychopathology, 8, 867–885.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tornstam, L. (1997). Gerotranscendence: The contemplative dimension of aging. Journal of Aging Studies, 11(2), 143–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Urien, B., & Guiot, D. (2007, avril–juin). Attitudes face à la mort et comportements d’ajustement des consommateurs âgés: vers l’élaboration d’une réponse marketing. Décisions Marketing, 46, 23–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Urien, B., & Kilbourne, W. (2008). On the role of materialism in the relationship between death anxiety and quality of life. In A. Y. Lee & D. Soman (Eds.), Advances in consumer research (Vol. XXXV). Memphis, TN: Association for Consumer Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, P., & Schaper, M. (2004). Understanding the grey entrepreneur. Journal of Enterprising Culture, 12(02), 147–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiese, B. S., Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2002). Subjective career success and emotional well-being: Longitudinal predictive power of selection, optimization and compensation. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 60, 321–335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, P. T. (1999). Meaning of life and meaning of death in successful aging. In A. Tomer (Ed.), Death attitudes and the older adult (pp. 23–35). New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Judith Partouche-Sebban or Adnane Maâlaoui .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Partouche-Sebban, J., Maâlaoui, A. (2019). Experience of Aging as an Opportunity for Entrepreneurship Among the Elderly. In: Maâlaoui, A. (eds) Handbook of Research on Elderly Entrepreneurship. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13334-4_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics