FAMILY-DRIVEN INNOVATION: A MULTILEVEL INVESTIGATION OF CONTINGENCY FACTORS FOR INNOVATION STRATEGY

Jordan Robert Gamble, Eric Clinton and O’GORMAN Colm
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Jordan Robert Gamble: National Centre for Family Business, DCU Business School, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
Eric Clinton: National Centre for Family Business, DCU Business School, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
O’GORMAN Colm: National Centre for Family Business, DCU Business School, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland

International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), 2025, vol. 29, issue 03n04, 1-33

Abstract: This paper explores the drivers of innovation in family firms. Using contingency theory as our theoretical lens, we investigate how contingency factors (“where†, “how†, and “what†) relate to the development of innovation strategies, and how family firm idiosyncrasies affect the development of these innovation strategies. Using four multi-generational family firm case studies, the data collection consisted of 21 interviews and 1,496 items of archival data. We identify five specific elements of family firm innovation strategies (vision and culture alignment, generational approaches, change strategy, future orientation, and shared decision-making). We show how innovation strategy in family firms is contingent on three factors: “Where†: willingness to innovate; “How†: structures and processes needed to innovate; and “What†: capabilities and resources needed to innovate, and that these are influenced by idiosyncratic characteristics of family firms (familiness, founder influence, and succession).

Keywords: Family firms; family-driven innovation; innovation strategy; contingency theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1142/S1363919625500124

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