Navigating work-family conflict, entrepreneurial passion, and entrepreneurial exit intention amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai

Drawing upon the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study examines the relationship between Work-Family Conflict (WFC) and entrepreneurial exit intention, as well as the mediating role of entrepreneurial passion and the moderating role of external relationship embedding, in the context of the pandemic in Shanghai. Based on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and data at multiple time points from 389 entrepreneurs, results indicate that there is a positive relationship between WFC and entrepreneurial exit intention among entrepreneurs during the pandemic. Entrepreneurial passion plays a critical mediating role between WFC and entrepreneurial exit intention through the lens of resource loss. External relationship embedding, as a vital external resource provider, plays a moderating role in the relationship between WFC and entrepreneurial passion. It also moderates the mediating role of entrepreneurial passion in the relationship between WFC and entrepreneurial exit intention. Overall, this research broadens the existing COR theory from the perspective of resource gains and losses and investigates the complicated interplay between WFC, entrepreneurial outcomes, and external relationship networks. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in this work.