The Role of Mindfulness in Entrepreneurship: An Ethical Perspective Through the Phronesis Framework

Mindfulness has become a common practice among entrepreneurs, promoting greater resilience, clarity, and virtuous behavior. Nonetheless, the literature presents a nuanced situation: although mindfulness can encourage ethical behavior, it may also be misused to justify unethical action decisions. To explore this paradox, we conduct a systematic review and identify five core thematic roles of mindfulness: zoom-in and zoom-out thinking, emotional self-regulation, cognitive reappraisal, psychological capital, and responsible orientation. These themes are crucial for the ongoing success of entrepreneurial ventures. We contextualize the roles of mindfulness for the five zones (presence, perspective, persistence, psychological resources, purpose) of the entrepreneur-venture nexus. Framing our ethics analysis through the neo-Aristotelian lens of phronesis we argue that mindfulness must be grounded in ethical reasoning to avoid moral blind spots and ensure responsible decision-making. This review introduces a novel phronetic mindfulness framework in entrepreneurial practice, highlighting the need for integrated virtue-based approaches to navigate moral dilemmas. This study advances theoretical and practical insights on the ethical application of mindfulness, emphasizing the crucial role of phronesis in fostering morally resilient and socially responsible entrepreneurs.