Entrepreneurial Behavior as Learning Processes in a Transgenerational Entrepreneurial Family

Within the extant body of literature, little is known as to how transgenerational entrepreneurial families develop entrepreneurial mind-sets in order to create value across generations. Accordingly, this chapter aims to explore the role of the family ownership group in entrepreneurial behavior by examining the entrepreneurial learning process in a transgenerational entrepreneurial family. In achieving this aim, the 4I organizational learning framework by Crossan et al. (An organizational learning framework: From intuition to institution. Academy of Management Review 24 (3): 522-537, 1999) is adapted as a theoretical lens. The empirical evidence that draws upon evidence from a detailed longitudinal case study illustrates the interjectory influence of the family ownership group within this process, suggesting that entrepreneurial learning in a transgenerational family firm is embedded at the family group level and reproduced and co-created as a result of resilient entrepreneurial behavior

Defining family business: a closer look at definitional heterogeneity

Researchers have used a myriad of different definitions in seeking to explain the heterogeneity of family firms and their unique behavior; however, no widely-accepted definition exists today. Definitional clarity in any field is essential to provide (a) the basis for the analysis of performance both spatially and temporally and (b) the foundation upon which theories, frameworks and models are developed. We provide a comprehensive analysis of prior research and identify and classify 82 definitions of family business. We then review and evaluate five key theoretical perspectives in family business to identify how these have shaped and informed the definitions employed in the field and duly explain family firm heterogeneity. Finally, we provide a conceptual diagram to inform the choice of definition in different research settings

Unternehmerische Ausrichtung in Familienunternehmen

This paper addresses the connection between corporate entrepreneurship and family businesses, with a particular focus on the construct of entrepreneurial orientation (EO). The main argument is that family firms represent organizational contexts that have specific characteristics with impact on EO. The article includes a review of key literature on EO that is used to define and discuss the family firm as context for entrepreneurial activities. Key themes emerging in the literature review are the roles of culture, dualities and resources as well as the importance of distinguishing between different types of family firms. It is also argued that it is relevant to look further into how “enterprising families“ that strive for trans-generational wealth creation attempt to develop and nurture a “family entrepreneurial orientation“ (FEO), a construct that addresses the entrepreneurial orientation of a family unit rather than that of a business unit. The article closes with a future research agenda

Entrepreneurial Orientation in Family Firms

This paper addresses the connection between corporate entrepreneurship and family businesses, with a particular focus on the construct of entrepreneurial orientation (EO). The main argument is that family firms represent organizational contexts that have specific characteristics with impact on EO. The article includes a review of key literature on EO that is used to define and discuss the family firm as context for entrepreneurial activities. Key themes emerging in the literature review are the roles of culture, dualities and resources as well as the importance of distinguishing between different types of family firms. It is also argued that it is relevant to look further into how “enterprising families” that strive for trans-generational wealth creation attempt to develop and nurture a “family entrepreneurial orientation” (FEO), a construct that addresses the entrepreneurial orientation of a family unit rather than that of a business unit. The article closes with a future research agenda

Insights from Canadian case studies on succession and knowledge transfer in family firms

This study investigated firstly whether the family business succession process differs from non-family business succession, secondly the nature of knowledge transfer and specifically about the nature of tacit and explicit knowledge transfer between the founder and successors and thirdly the impact of the degree and nature of trust between the founder and successor is considered along with the issue of whether the level of perceived trust differs depending on the length of the relationship between the firm founder and successor. Finally the impact of the successor's gender on the tacit knowledge transfer process is noted. The contribution of this research to the founders of family business, their successors and their advisors are highlighted, the study's limitations and directions for future research are noted