Entrepreneurial Orientation Across Generations in Family Firms: The Role of Owner-centric Culture for Proactiveness and Autonomy

Author(s):  
Ethel Brundin ◽  
Mattias Nordqvist ◽  
Leif Melin
Author(s):  
Ana M Moreno-Menéndez ◽  
Unai Arzubiaga ◽  
Vanessa Díaz-Moriana ◽  
José C Casillas

This article critically analyses entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in family firms after a major crisis, to investigate how firms with equal initial levels of EO reach different levels over time. Based on two alternative hypotheses (stability and convergence), we analysed whether the EO of family firms remains intact, strengthens, or weakens after a crisis. Based on an examination of a database of 151 family firms collected in 2004 and 2017, our findings reveal that compared to firms with higher pre-crisis EO levels, those with lower levels saw a larger increase post crisis. Furthermore, unlike the latter group, the former was able to maintain high pre-crisis levels even after the crisis. In addition, we also we found this relationship between pre-crisis and post-crisis EO levels to be influenced by two key periodic discontinuities, namely, organisational decline and generational change contingencies. These findings advance our understanding of temporal aspects of EO and heterogeneous entrepreneurial behaviour among family firms with significant implications for both theory and practice.


2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucía Garcés-Galdeano ◽  
Martín Larraza-Kintana ◽  
Carmen García-Olaverri ◽  
Marianna Makri

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Floris ◽  
Angela Dettori ◽  
Camilla Melis ◽  
Cinzia Dessì

PurposeThe paper aims to analyse the case of “Sa Panada srl”, a tiny Sardinian family firm, to provide intriguing insights for the study of entrepreneurial orientation in a context that is anchored in an apparent and hostile past.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory approach is used to analyse a single-case study through a narrative approach. Data were analysed through the hermeneutic trio consisting of three phases: (1) explication – contextualisation, reconstruction and synthesis of the history; (2) explanation – identification, description and understanding of the meaning of the narrative; and (3) exploration – discussion and identification of theoretical and practical implications.FindingsThe study introduces novel best practices that help enhance entrepreneurial orientation in a difficult setting based on change reluctance and past anchored culture.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, the study contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial orientation, internationalisation and innovativeness of family firms embedded in a hostile context. The main drawback of the study is its explorative analysis of a single case.Practical implicationsFor practitioners, the research proposes the case study as a best practice able to inspire successful resilient behaviour and decisions for other firms that experience daily challenges.Originality/valueThe study elucidates the relevance of individual factors of family owners as endogenous elements that can balance contextual obstacles with ambitions of growth and development.


2020 ◽  
pp. 104225872097399
Author(s):  
Andrea Calabrò ◽  
Rosalia Santulli ◽  
Mariateresa Torchia ◽  
Carmen Gallucci

Research has shown that entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is positively associated with performance, but several context-specific features and contingencies affect this relationship. Accordingly, this article focuses on the specific context of family firms (FFs) and introduces top management team (TMT) faultlines as moderators. The main findings, obtained on a sample of 111 medium- and large-sized FFs, suggest that strong identity-based faultlines (IBFs) negatively moderate the EO–FF performance relationship, even within TMTs that are comprised only of family members, which are often viewed as homogeneous teams. Conversely, strong knowledge-based faultlines (KBFs) amplify the positive effect of EO on FF performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Börje Boers ◽  
Thomas Henschel

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand how family firms manage a crisis by applying a processual and longitudinal perspective. The objective is to find out how crisis management is approached by family firms in Sweden, Scotland and Germany, using entrepreneurial orientation (EO) as an analytical lens. Further, this paper investigates the role of the owning family in creating and solving a crisis in family firms. Design/methodology/approach This study follows a processual and longitudinal case study approach. Cases are drawn from Germany, Scotland and Sweden. Data collection is based on a combination of interviews with archival data such as annual reports and press clippings. Findings The results show that all studied firms had high levels of autonomy combined with high risk-taking. It is noteworthy, that these dimensions also help to overcome the crisis. Risk-taking and proactiveness can be useful for addressing the crisis. Under certain circumstances, even innovativeness can help to develop new offers. Autonomy is considered central in family firms and only extraordinary circumstances can be owning families make willing to compromise on it. The EO-dimensions are not all relevant at all times. Rather, family firms will emphasize the dimensions during the consecutive stages differently. Originality/value This study compares case companies from Germany, Scotland and Sweden and how EO contributes to their crisis management by taking a longitudinal and processual perspective. Its originality lies in the in-depth studies of companies from three countries.


2022 ◽  
pp. 772-793
Author(s):  
Chiara Civera ◽  
Damiano Cortese ◽  
Simona Fiandrino

This chapter addresses the issue of sustainability in small family firms, considering the relation between entrepreneurial orientation and family influence factors. The literature describes positive links between small firms and sustainability outlining their power in spreading good practices. Furthermore, the role of family is crucial to strengthen such intrinsic links. The aim of this study is to first demonstrate the influence that family factors play on entrepreneurial orientation and, second, highlight how factors and orientations shape small family firms' sustainable approach. The study employs a case-based method, illustrating a peculiar case: the leading Italian small family-owned craft beer producer Baladin. It provides fertile ground for the development of functioning as a learning process and being replicable in smaller firms. It also highlights the relevance of family culture even when an entrepreneur engages in a countertrend against his usual family path, by undermining the traditional family business but maintaining a local commitment to sustainable outcomes.


Author(s):  
Chiara Civera ◽  
Damiano Cortese ◽  
Simona Fiandrino

This chapter addresses the issue of sustainability in small family firms, considering the relation between entrepreneurial orientation and family influence factors. The literature describes positive links between small firms and sustainability outlining their power in spreading good practices. Furthermore, the role of family is crucial to strengthen such intrinsic links. The aim of this study is to first demonstrate the influence that family factors play on entrepreneurial orientation and, second, highlight how factors and orientations shape small family firms' sustainable approach. The study employs a case-based method, illustrating a peculiar case: the leading Italian small family-owned craft beer producer Baladin. It provides fertile ground for the development of functioning as a learning process and being replicable in smaller firms. It also highlights the relevance of family culture even when an entrepreneur engages in a countertrend against his usual family path, by undermining the traditional family business but maintaining a local commitment to sustainable outcomes.


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