Familiness vs. family ownership and control: what is the impact on the performance of a firm? Evidence from the field

Davide Sola, Roberto Quaglia, Jerome Couturier and Angela Lo Pinto

International Journal of Management Practice, 2012, vol. 5, issue 4, 326-342

Abstract: This paper investigates the differing impact on the performance of family ownership and control in relation to 'familiness'. In particular, it aims to analyse the impact of the loss of family ownership and control in two different scenarios: diffusion of familiness, and not diffused familiness within the organisation. Grounded Theory methodology was applied with the intention of generating a conceptual model related to the phenomenon. Therefore, evidence from the examination of prior knowledge and real-life observations are contrasted, searching for elements that supported or disproved the emergent theoretical construct. According to our conceptual model, 'Four Pillars of Positive Familiness Effect' - long-term commitment, reciprocal altruism, trust, and collective values and shared vision - if present and diffused within the organisation, determine the positive effect of family control on the performance of the firm. After the loss of family control, the effect on the performance would depend on the pre-existence of those characteristics.

Keywords: family ownership; family control; positive familiness; grounded theory; prior knowledge; real-life observations; theoretical constructs; long-term commitment; reciprocal altruism; trust; collective values; shared vision; Aqua d'Italia; Italy; mineral waters; soft drinks; Vita Water; management practice; family businesses; competiveness; business performance. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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