scholarly journals Generational brokerage: An intersubjective perspective on managing temporal orientations in family firm succession

2020 ◽  
pp. 147612702097697
Author(s):  
Vittoria Magrelli ◽  
Emanuela Rondi ◽  
Alfredo De Massis ◽  
Josip Kotlar
Keyword(s):  
Family Firms ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Mediation Process ◽  
Organizational Processes ◽  
Generation Family ◽  
Embedded Case Study ◽  
Intra Family

Interactions between family members of different generations often unleash powerful tensions in family firms. Intergenerational tensions can be particularly prominent during intra-family succession as a result of the different temporal orientations of senior and junior generation family members. However, scant systematic attention has thus far been paid to understanding the temporality of intergenerational tensions in family firms. Through an embedded case study, we explore the mediation process that helps family firms manage intergenerational tensions by way of temporal work. Our investigation of an advisory firm and its clients led us to identify generational brokerage as the intersubjective process through which temporal work enables generations toward the joint understanding of temporal orientations. Our theoretical insights have significant implications for developing a temporal view of succession and add novel important knowledge to research on mediation and time. Indeed, we show that generational brokerage is a dialectic construct with organizing properties able to blend disparate research streams by going beyond a unidirectional forward-flowing logic of time in examining organizational processes.

Emotional intelligence in family firms

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Gómez Betancourt ◽  
Isabel C. Botero ◽  
Jose Bernardo Betancourt Ramirez ◽  
Maria Piedad López Vergara
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Interpersonal Dynamics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Family

Purpose – Although researchers have highlighted the importance of relational and family factors for the sustainability of a family firm, there is not much empirical research exploring how emotions and the management of emotions play a role in the interpersonal dynamics of family business owners. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the way family members manage their emotions affects the interpersonal dynamics in the family, business, and ownership subsystems of a family firm. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents an in-depth case study from a family firm in Colombia-South America. Findings – The results indicate that the capability that family members have to manage their emotions influences the interpersonal dynamics that take place in the family firm at the individual and group level. In this case, the paper found that although emotional intelligence (EI) affected interpersonal relationships in a firm, this effect was based on the individual's willingness to use their EI capabilities, previous history between people, and the goals individuals have within each subsystem in a family firm. The paper also found that interpersonal dynamics, in turn, influence how family members work together. Research limitations/implications – Because this study uses an in-depth case study, the intention of the paper is to provide an initial picture of how EI can play a role in the interpersonal interactions between family business owners. The authors hope that this study can be used as a building block to enhance the understanding of the role of EI in family firms. Practical implications – EI represents an individual's capability to perceive, understand, manage, and regulate self and other's emotions. For family firms, this means that family business owners can use this capability to determine how to enact their roles in the family firm and how to interact with other to ensure harmony in their relationships. Originality/value – This paper builds on previous work on emotions in family firms to explore the role of EI in family firms, and provides an empirical exploration of the role of management of emotions in family firms.

Dancing With Giants: Acquisition and Survival of the Family Firm

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Steen ◽  
Lawrence S. Welch
Keyword(s):  
Mergers And Acquisitions ◽  
Family Involvement ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Family Perspective ◽  
The Family

In this article, we examine the responses of family companies to the emerging environment of mergers and acquisitions, specifically within the international wine industry. At issue is the question of how the family perspective influences responses of a family firm to the prospect of merger or takeover. We examine the issue through a case study of the takeover of an Australian wine producer and family firm, Peter Lehmann Wines. The case study demonstrates ways in which the family perspective is critical in driving responses, for example, in the strength and forms of opposition to one of the potential acquirers in the case, indicating just how important the preservation of a family legacy was to key family members. However, the case also illustrates how in a takeover fight the dynamics of the takeover process itself become important in determining outcomes. In addition, the case demonstrates that family involvement and influence can be maintained in spite of takeover.

The Succession Experience of the Next Generation

1992 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy C. Handler
Keyword(s):  
Family Members ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Generation Family ◽  
The Future ◽  
Biographical Study ◽  
Specific Factors

Literature indicates that succession is critical to the future of a family firm. However, little is known about how the next generation actually experiences the process of succession. An in-depth biographical study of thirty-two next-generation family members indicates specific factors critical to succession. The findings are delineated in a framework that portrays these influences, their relationships, and the effect they have on the succession experience of next-generation family members.

scholarly journals Family members as hybrid owner-managers in family-owned newspaper companies: handling multiple institutional logics

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Börje Boers ◽  
Thomas Andersson
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Institutional Logics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Empirical Material

PurposeThis article aims to increase the understanding of the role of individual actors and arenas in dealing with multiple institutional logics in family firms.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows a case-study approach of two family-owned newspaper companies. Based on interviews and secondary sources, the empirical material was analysed focussing on three institutional logics, that is, family logic, management logic and journalistic logic.FindingsFirst, the authors show how and in which arenas competing logics are balanced in family-owned newspaper companies. Second, the authors highlight that family owners are central actors in the process of balancing different institutional logics. Further, they analyse how family members can become hybrid owner-managers, meaning that they have access to all institutional logics and become central actors in the balancing process.Originality/valueThe authors reveal how multiple institutional logics are balanced in family firms by including formal actors and arenas as additional lenses. Therefore, owning family members, especially hybrid owner-managers, are the best-suited individual actors to balance competing logics. Hybrid owner-managers are members of the owner families who are also skilled in one or several professions.

Family firm heterogeneity on CSR approach: A socio-emotional (SEW) perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 234094442110638
Author(s):  
Julio Diéguez-Soto ◽  
Marta Campos-Valenzuela ◽  
Ángela M. Callejón-Gil ◽  
Ignacio Aldeanueva-Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Family Firms ◽  
Firm Heterogeneity ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Jel Classification ◽  
Negative Valence ◽  
Ethics Research ◽  
Interpretative Approach ◽  
Corporate Social

How family firms adopt a certain corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach remains a relatively unexplored matter in family firm and firm ethics research. Hence, we study how and why the CSR approach (broad vs. narrow; benefits vs. costs) differs within family firms, addressing the influence of the socio-emotional wealth (SEW) dimensions, individually or combined. We used empirical evidence gathered through 13 case studies of firms from the Andalusia region and we used the interpretative approach of the grounded theory based on case study data. Results of our analyses lead to propose that family firms with a higher identification and more positive than negative valence with regard to emotional attachment and family enrichment dimensions will be more likely to exhibit a broad approach of CSR. Likewise, those family firms adopting CSR actions with stakeholders due to instrumental use of image and reputation dimension will more probably display a benefits approach. JEL CLASSIFICATION: L26; M14

Leader behaviours of family and non-family executives in family firms

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 885-907
Author(s):  
Carolin Neffe ◽  
Celeste P.M. Wilderom ◽  
Frank Lattuch
Keyword(s):  
Family Firms ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leadership Frame ◽  
Family Based ◽  
Research Propositions ◽  
New Research

Purpose Several studies of family firm failures have pointed to non-family members in leading positions as a reason. However, non-family members have often played a key role in family-firm longevity, while non-family executives’ involvement in family firms is increasing. These non-family executives who (co-)run family firms are thought to require an almost impossible set of behavioural qualities. The aim of this exploratory study is to find out how specific leader behaviours of effective family executives and non-family executives may differ. Design/methodology/approach Based on Dulewicz and Higgs’ (2005) broad leadership frame, the authors draw attention to a large range of behaviours of family-firm executives. In-depth interviews were conducted with successful German executives, both family and non-family ones. Their answers had to contain specific behavioural examples. Findings More behavioural similarities than differences are shown between family- and non-family-based executives. Yet, the self-reflective communicative behavioural qualities of the non-family executives could balance a lack of such qualities among the family-based executives. Based on the three major differences – decision-making style, communication versatility and self-awareness – specific new research propositions are distilled about effective family firm leadership. Originality/value Practical suggestions for recruiting non-family executives are offered. Future quantitative longitudinal research on how to pair specific behavioural qualities of family and non-family based executives that optimise family-firm longevity is urgently needed.

scholarly journals Coexistence, Unity, Professionalism and Prudence

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel-Angel Gallo
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Family Businesses ◽  
The Family ◽  
Over Time

Family firms are complex and dynamic entities that are rich with peculiar, idiosyncratic features. The objective of this paper is to provide guidance to help those involved in family businesses, businesspersons, and family members to pursue the continuity of the family firm over time. Based on the author’s experience with entrepreneurs who built successful businesses, this paper identifies four elements that are critical to achieve transgenerational continuity in family firms, namely: coexistence, unity, professionalism, and prudence. The analysis of each element provides suggestions and key considerations for both scholars and practitioners in the family business field.

When family firm corporate governance fails: the case of El Corte Inglés

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-115
Author(s):  
María Sacristán-Navarro ◽  
Laura Cabeza-García
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Corporate Governance Mechanisms ◽  
The Right ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe internal corporate governance mechanisms in family firms as well as conflicts that may arise among shareholders and family members in the absence of specific corporate governance mechanisms. Design/methodology/approach After presenting theoretical concepts, the authors study the case of Spanish family firm El Corte Inglés to understand some of the corporate governance difficulties the company has experienced over the past few years. Findings This case illustrates how corporate governance problems can arise because the right mechanisms have not been used, leading to conflicts among family members, valuation problems and power struggles. Practical implications There is a need for family firms to employ suitable corporate governance mechanisms as governance complexity increases. Originality/value This study aims to contribute to the understanding of corporate governance problems among family members and their possible solutions.

Advice-seeking process in family businesses: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleš Kubíček ◽  
Lucie Dofkova ◽  
Ondřej Machek
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Advice Seeking ◽  
External Sources

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the process of seeking advice in family firms.Design/methodology/approachExploratory multiple case study design was employed to examine how family firm owners use various sources of advice. The analysis is based on data collected from semi-structured interviews with six Czech family business owners.FindingsThe case study analysis shows that family business owners first seek advice among those family members who work in the family firm. Subsequently, they approach internal or external sources with whom they have a specific relationship (management and key employees, peers and professional associations). Only when these sources do not provide adequate results, external advisors are approached. However, if the advice required a specific knowledge or certification, external advisors may be approached in the first place.Originality/valueBased on the qualitative data analysis, we developed a model of the advice-seeking process. Since the theoretical “how” of the advising process in family firms is still underresearched, this study presents theoretical extensions as well as practical implications.

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