Evaluation of the online presence of family firms: A comparative analysis between Ibero-America and the US

Digital marketing strategies are an intermediary between marketing channels and communication of information. With the emergence of web 2.0, corporate websites’ have become the epicentre of digital marketing strategies. This study aims to fill a gap in the family business literature related to online presence and their differences between regions. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), the websites of the largest Ibero-American and American family businesses in the world (which were included in the Family Business Global Index (FBGI)) were examined by evaluating their content, form and function, as well as their presence in social networks. A multigroup analysis was used to compare the results in Ibero-America and America. One of the main results is that there is a negative relationship between website quality and a company’s turnover and a positive relationship between social networks and a company’s turnover. Regarding multigroup analysis, there are no significant differences among the family firms of the two regions with respect to the online presence. This study has relevant practical implications because it highlights the importance of a global strategy of online presence since it influences the company’s turnover

Analysis and evaluation of the largest 500 family firms’ websites through PLS-SEM technique

Dado que pocos estudios relacionan los aspectos técnicos de un sitio web corporativo con la facturación de una empresa, este documento tiene como objetivo examinar cómo la calidad de un sitio web corporativo influye en las redes sociales y la facturación de la empresa en grandes empresas familiares. También se prueba el efecto moderador y mediador de las redes sociales en las relaciones entre la calidad del sitio web y la rotación. Además, el documento realiza un análisis multigrupo para analizar las diferencias entre las empresas familiares con baja y alta concentración de propiedad familiar. La muestra utilizada en el estudio, los sitios web de las 500 empresas familiares más grandes de todo el mundo extraídos del Índice Global de Negocios Familiares compilados por la Universidad de St. Gallen, se analizaron utilizando modelos de ecuaciones estructurales de mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS-SEM). Los resultados indican que tanto el efecto directo e indirecto de la calidad del sitio web en la rotación como el efecto moderador de las redes sociales en la relación entre la calidad del sitio web y la rotación fueron negativos y significativos. El análisis multigrupo revela algunas diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos. El estudio contribuye a la evaluación de la literatura del sitio web al explorar un nuevo sector de aplicación: las empresas familiares. Además, las empresas familiares más grandes deberían mejorar su presencia en las redes sociales para aumentar sus ventas.As few studies relate the technical aspects of a corporate website to a firm’s turnover, this paper aims to examine how the quality of a corporate website influences social networks and the company’s turnover in large family firms. The moderating and mediating effect of social networks on the relationships between website quality and turnover are also tested. In addition, the paper performs a multigroup analysis to analyze the differences between family businesses with low and high family ownership concentration. The sample used in the study, the largest 500 family firms’ websites around the globe extracted from The Global Family Business Index compiled by the University of St. Gallen, were analyzed using partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that both the direct and indirect effect of website quality on turnover and the moderating effect of social networks in the relationship between website quality and turnover were negative and significant. The multigroup analysis reveals some significant differences between both groups. The study contributes to the evaluation of website literature by exploring a new sector of application: family businesses. Moreover, the largest family firms should improve their presence in social networks to increase their sales.• Junta de Extremadura y Fondos FEDER. AyudapeerReviewe

Study of factors influencing knowledge transfer in family firms

Purpose: We propose in this paper to analyze what are the factors that influence knowledge transfer both intra and intergenerational in family firms. The main objective is to establish a framework that can be used later in empirical research, although we maintain a completely theoretical approach in this paper Design/methodology/approach: This study, which is a comprehensive framework characterized the knowledge transfer literature in family firms in terms of the factors influencing them, was developed by an extensive literature review. Findings: Based on an extensive literature review, we conclude that knowledge is best transferred when family members value the following factors: trust between family members, commitment to the family business, intergenerational relationships, intragenerational relationships, psychological ownership of the family business, successor’s aspects and training, predecessor involvement in the successor training, organizational culture and relationships with Family Business Associations. Research limitations/implications: The study demonstrates the extensiveness and variety of knowledge transfer research. However there is not the same situation in family firms’ field. For academics, these different factors can be used as a map for future empirical studies. Originality/value: There is a notable lack of research into knowledge practices in small and medium-sized enterprises and especially in family firms. Besides, there is a gap in the understanding of an effective way to transfer these resources across generations; actually, existing studies on knowledge management in family businesses are scarce. The main value of our paper is to fill out partially this gap.Peer Reviewe

Aplicaciones territoriales de la gestión del conocimiento. Sus relaciones con la competitividad de las ciudades.

The doctoral thesis “Knowledge Management and City Competitiveness: Analysis within the Spanish Cities”, tends to make the local authorities more aware of the advantages of incorporating Knowledge Management as a management tool. A Delphi study was carried out with the collaboration of 23 national experts, who valuated the starting questionnaire. Next, a case study was performed over “Cross-Bordeting Network of Knowledge Cities KOGNOPOLIS©” (www.redkognopolis.org). This thesis empirically contributed by extending the latter study to all those Spanish cities with a population over 20.000 people. Almost 30% of the surveyed cities replied to our questionnaire.La tesis doctoral “Gestión del conocimiento y competitividad: análisis en las ciudades españolas” pretende explicar la necesidad de incorporar la gestión del conocimiento en el bloque de instrumentos gerenciales del ámbito municipal. Se ha realizado un estudio “Delphi” de 23 expertos nacionales para la validación del cuestionario. Posteriormente, se realizó un estudio de caso en la Red Transfronteriza de Ciudades del Conocimiento, KOGNÓPOLIS© (www.redkognopolis.org). La aportación empírica de la tesis se materializa en la realización del estudio en todas las ciudades españolas con más de 20.000 habitantes, habiéndose obtenido una tasa de respuesta de casi el 30%

Estrategia basada en el conocimiento y conpetitividad de ciudades: analisis empírico en las corporaciones locales españolas

La administración local de las ciudades tiene que tomar importantes decisiones para el futuro de su comunidad. El presente trabajo pretende explicar la necesidad de incorporar la Gestión del Conocimiento al bloque de instrumentos gerenciales en el ámbito municipal. Los objetivos principales del artículo se materializan en la elaboración de un marco general de análisis (modelo) que permita interpretar las relaciones entre la estrategia basada en conocimiento (EBC) y la competitividad de una ciudad. Asimismo, se pretende comprobar la validez de dicho modelo mediante la realización de un adecuado estudio empírico en las corporaciones locales españolas. Dependiendo del área de desarrollo de ciudad que se pretenda potenciar (económico, urbano, estratégico, etc.), los principales resultados se materializan en una serie de recomendaciones para las autoridades locales

La estrategia basada en el conocimiento en el ámbito territorial. Revisión teórica.

A deep change in the local management has been taking place. Managing successfully tangible elements (urbanism, transport, supplies etc.) is no longer enough to properly analyse territorial competitiveness. In fact, intangible elements (such as image, personal skills, relationships) are becoming more and more significant to achieve this purpose. This paper aims to show the various initiatives that are currently being carried out all over the world. These relate knowledge-based strategy to the territorial field. Countries, regions, as well as cities have been testing very innovative scheme projects in order to manage those intangible elements belonging to the strategy of the communit

La estrategia basada en el conocimiento en el ámbito territorial. Revisión teórica.

Se está produciendo un profundo cambio en la gestión local. Ya no basta con gestionar con excelencia los elementos tangibles (urbanismo, transportes, suministros, etc.); cada vez más, los elementos intangibles (imagen, formación del personal, relaciones, etc.) son los que marcan el diferencial de competitividad de un territorio. El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar las diferentes iniciativas que se están llevando a cabo en todo el mundo relacionando la estrategia basada en el conocimiento con el ámbito territorial. Tanto naciones como regiones y ciudades están experimentando con proyectos piloto extremadamente innovadores que intentan gestionar los elementos intangibles de la estrategia de la comunidad.A deep change in the local management has been taking place. Managing successfully tangible elements (urbanism, transport, supplies etc.) is no longer enough to properly analyse territorial competitiveness. In fact, intangible elements (such as image, personal skills, relationships) are becoming more and more significant to achieve this purpose. This paper aims to show the various initiatives that are currently being carried out all over the world. These relate knowledge-based strategy to the territorial field. Countries, regions, as well as cities have been testing very innovative scheme projects in order to manage those intangible elements belonging to the strategy of the communit

La estrategia basada en el conocimiento en el ámbito territorial: Revisión teórica.

A deep change in the local management has been taking place. Managing successfully tangible elements (urbanism, transport, supplies etc.) is no longer enough to properly analyse territorial competitiveness. In fact, intangible elements (such as image, personal skills, relationships) are becoming more and more significant to achieve this purpose. This paper aims to show the various initiatives that are currently being carried out all over the world. These relate knowledge-based strategy to the territorial field. Countries, regions, as well as cities have been testing very innovative scheme projects in order to manage those intangible elements belonging to the strategy of the community.Se está produciendo un profundo cambio en la gestión local. Ya no basta con gestionar con excelencia los elementos tangibles (urbanismo, transportes, suministros, etc.); cada vez más, los elementos intangibles (imagen, formación del personal, relaciones, etc.) son los que marcan el diferencial de competitividad de un territorio. El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar las diferentes iniciativas que se están llevando a cabo en todo el mundo relacionando la estrategia basada en el conocimiento con el ámbito territorial. Tanto naciones como regiones y ciudades están experimentando con proyectos piloto extremadamente innovadores que intentan gestionar los elementos intangibles de la estrategia de la comunidad