Managing non-family talent: Evidence from German-speaking regions

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Harsch ◽  
Marion Festing
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Business Culture ◽  
Specific Analysis ◽  
The Family ◽  
German Speaking ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Context Specific

Family businesses dominate the corporate world but there is much we don’t know about them. Managing non-family talent is one under-researched area which we explore here, using a context-specific analysis on multiple levels, including qualitative data from interviews with family business owners and non-family talents in strategic family business positions in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland. Based on stewardship theory and our empirical results, we suggest a framework that explains the particular facets of talent management in this context, characterised by the emotional attachment of the family and involvement in the business. Our findings show that primarily the values and attitudes of families shape the specific family business talent management approach, which is embedded in the particularities of the family business culture at the meso level and in region-specific macro-level factors.

“We are a family firm”

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Binz Astrachan ◽  
Isabel C. Botero
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Family Firm ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Public Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Building ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
The Family ◽  
Family Associations

Purpose Evidence suggests that some stakeholders perceive family firms as more trustworthy, responsible, and customer-oriented than public companies. To capitalize on these positive perceptions, owning families can use references about their family nature in their organizational branding and marketing efforts. However, not all family firms actively communicate their family business brand. With this in mind, the purpose of this paper is to investigate why family firms decide to promote their “family business brand” in their communication efforts toward different stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach Data for this study were collected using an in-depth interview approach from 11 Swiss and German family business owners. Interviews were transcribed and coded to identify different themes that help explain the different motives and constraints that drive their decisions to promote the “family business brand.” Findings The analyses indicate that promoting family associations in branding efforts is driven by both identity-related (i.e. pride, identification) and outcome-related (e.g. reputational advantages) motives. However, there are several constraints that may negatively affect the promotion of the family business brand in corporate communication efforts. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to explore why family businesses decide to communicate their “family business brand.” Building on the findings, the authors present a conceptual framework identifying the antecedents and possible consequences of promoting a family firm brand. This framework can help researchers and practitioners better understand how the family business nature of the brand can influence decisions about the company’s branding and marketing practices.

scholarly journals Tacit knowledge, as a source of competitiveness: case study

2021 ◽  
pp. 27-33
Author(s):  
Patricia RIVERA-ACOSTA ◽  
Rosa Elia MARTÍNEZ-TORRES ◽  
Maricela OJEDA-GUTIÉRREZ
Keyword(s):  
Tacit Knowledge ◽  
Family Business ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Talent Management ◽  
Formal Training ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
The Family ◽  
Study Methodology

In the society of the XXI century it is generally accepted that a new intangible resource of organizations is knowledge, in addition to the other existing resources: human, capital, raw materials and equipment. This is particularly true in a knowledge-based society and economy, where knowledge has become an invaluable medium for all organizations, particularly businesses. The objective of this paper is to make a diagnosis to describe how to apply knowledge management in the family business Campechanas la Escondida de la Trinidad. This project is based on a case study methodology, with a descriptive type of research; the collection of information uses as instruments with a qualitative approach, observation and interviewing. The results obtained show a dependence on the tacit knowledge possessed by bakers who apply in the artisanal process, in addition to family members, lack human talent management, formal training and innovation, which has limited their competitiveness.

scholarly journals Investigating value-laden leadership styles among family business owners

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 35-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Venter ◽  
S. M. Farrington
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Styles ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Family Business ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Family Businesses ◽  
Participative Leadership ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
The Family

Given the need for a different approach to leadership, as well as the need for further investigation on leadership among family businesses, this study investigates several value-laden leadership styles among family businesses. More specifically the primary objective is to establish the levels of Servant, Ethical, Authentic, and Participative leadership displayed by family business owners and the influence thereof on the Perceived business performance of the family business. A survey was undertaken and 266 usable questionnaires were returned from 133 family business owners and 133 from family business employees. The data analysis involved calculating descriptive statistics and undertaking t-tests. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) was done to test the hypothesised relationships. Although the MRA analysis revealed no statistically significant relationships between the leadership styles investigated and Perceived business performance, the vast majority of respondents agreed that the styles investigated were displayed by the family business owners. For both sample groups Ethical leadership returned the highest mean score, followed by Servant and Participative leadership. The importance of these value-laden leadership styles to family businesses is thus highlighted, contradicting the literature that family businesses owners are often autocratic in their leadership style. In addition, increased clarity on the effectiveness of these value-laden leadership styles within the context of family business is provided.

In the Founder's Shadow: Conflict in the Family Firm

1999 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter S. Davis ◽  
Paula D. Harveston
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
The Family ◽  
Nonlinear Trends ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Two Independent Variables

This paper examines the extent to which conflict across generations of family firms is due to the effects of two independent variables—generation and generational shadow. The presence of a generational shadow was indicated by whether either or both of the parents continued to influence the company once the next generation assumed control. Hypotheses predicted nonlinear trends in conflict and interactions between generation and generational shadow. Using data from a national telephone survey of over 1,000 family business owners, the results of an ANOVA test confirmed that the presence of generational shadow, in particular, that of the founder, increases organizational conflict.

The Early Entrepreneurial Stage in Finnish Family and Nonfamily Firms

2000 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannu Littunen ◽  
Kimmo Hyrsky
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Strategic Choices ◽  
Business Services ◽  
Start Up ◽  
The Family ◽  
Unrealistic Expectations

This study examined factors influencing the survival and success of 200 Finnish family and nonfamily firms in the metal-based manufacturing industry and business services over the first three years of their operation. The features that this study reviewed include owner-manager personality attributes, entrepreneurial competence, and motives for the start-up. Strategic choices of the firms were also examined. The study found that family firms were better equipped to survive beyond the early entrepreneurial stage than were nonfamily businesses. The entrepreneurial abilities and resources of the family business owners enabled them to operate relatively successfully in the nearby market, often with one unique product. The family firms were more conscious of survival and family well-being than profitability or market position. A higher mortality rate was discovered among the nonfamily firms. Failed firms were often established with unrealistic expectations, and their performance deteriorated rapidly after their early success.

Wellness in the Family Business

1993 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Stier
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Insurance Costs ◽  
Worker Satisfaction ◽  
The Family ◽  
Economic Well Being

This article addresses the unique opportunity that family business owners have to create worksite environments that promote wellness in employees while increasing productivity. By giving physical and psychological well-being the same importance as economic well-being, the company benefits through healthier employees, reduction of absenteeism, lower insurance costs, and increased productivity and worker satisfaction.

The Expectation of Partial Retirement Among Family Business Owners

2003 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haejeong Kim ◽  
Sharon A. DeVaney
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Work Force ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Business Owner ◽  
Survey Of Consumer Finances ◽  
Hours Worked ◽  
Consumer Finances ◽  
Retirement Accounts ◽  
The Family ◽  
Partial Retirement

Decisions that the family business owner makes about retirement and succession are critical and could affect a large proportion of the work force. Compared to employees, family business owners may have more of an opportunity to retire partially, i.e., reduce the number of hours worked. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of family business owners who expect to retire partially. Data on 1,155 family business owners from the 1998 Survey of Consumer Finances reveals that family business owners with more education and more income, who work more hours per week, and who have tax-deferred retirement accounts expect to retire partially. There is a direct correlation between age and those choosing partial retirement, suggesting that many family business owners expect to retire partially. Married family business owners were less likely to expect to retire partially; instead, they would retire fully. The equity in the business, type of ownership, and involvement of other family members did not affect the expectation of partial retirement.

scholarly journals A study of Chinese guanxi type in family business from the perspective of power-based and leadership behaviours

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 102-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsien-Tang Tsai ◽  
Tung-Ju Wu ◽  
Shang-Pao Yeh
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Influence Tactics ◽  
Internal Communication ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Chinese Society ◽  
Family Ties ◽  
The Family ◽  
Special Pattern

In Chinese society, a guanxi network is based on kinship or family ties of affection. This special pattern has a historical background and is one of the important factors that have enabled many Taiwanese enterprises to continue operating through the decades. The personal links between people create a kind of social network known as guanxi, which is a unique characteristic of Chinese society. The study aims to investigate the guanxi type of managers in Taiwanese family businesses, and examines how the guanxi type may moderate the correlation between the managers’ power and the influence tactics used to handle subordinates. We surveyed 178 managers who are working in Taiwanese family business. The results of the hierarchical regression modeling showed that as managers have more position power, especially those exercising the family guanxi, they are more likely to be assertive in their treatment of their subordinates. Managers possessing the friend guanxi often play a bridging role to complement the function of those managers with the family guanxi, who may use the assertive approach too strongly. Managers of this type can provide a “lubricant effect” and keep the family business running smoothly. We recommend that family business owners should pay more attention to relationship harmony and internal communication channels in their organisations.

Three Proposals for Interdisciplinary Study

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry C. Krasnow ◽  
Robin L. Wolkoff
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Minority Shareholders ◽  
Legal Advice ◽  
The Family ◽  
Tax Savings ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Interdisciplinary Study ◽  
First Time

This article suggests research to determine whether more valuable legal advice can be given in three areas. The emotional distress caused by prenuptial agreements to people under 30 years old who are marrying for the first time is not justified because these agreements often do not accomplish their intended goals. Regarding estate planning, business owners and their lawyers often focus primarily on tax savings without considering the long-term impact of the estate plan on the family business. Finally, the advantages to the family business of agreements for the buyout of disgruntled minority shareholders are discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document