Psychoanalytic Approach to the Phenomenon of Competition

This master's thesis is dedicated to exploring the psychoanalytic perspective on the phenomenon of competition. The authors put forward a hypothesis that competition can in some cases contribute to personal development and goal achievement, but it can also evoke stress, anxiety, and destructive competitive behavior depending on the quality of relationships with primary objects and siblings. The hypothesis is examined through extensive theoretical material and an engaging empirical study involving in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs, as well as a group case study with a coffee brand franchisees. Various aspects of the emergence of competition from a psychoanalytic standpoint are discussed in the thesis. The conditions for healthy and pathological competition are explored, along with identifying key traits of a mature personality that facilitate productive contest, foster personal development, and enable individuals to fully realize their potential and collaborate effectively. This work can have practical application for forecasting purposes in assessing or planning the career potential of organizational management teams.