Unravelling the diversity in family firm performance: Effects of entrepreneurial orientation and family orientation on firm performance across generations (R-2147)

During the last decade, there has been considerable debate whether family firms perform better than non-family firms. Contrary to existing research, we want to unravel the diversity of family firm performance by considering it as a multidimensional construct encompassing both economic as well as non-economic benefits such as emotional value. Moreover, this study will be one of the first to investigate the influence of entrepreneurial (EO) and family orientation on family firm performance across generations in private family firms. In addition, we also examine how family businesses generate and sustain entrepreneurial performance across generations. Taking into account family firm heterogeneity, in depth research will be undertaken to unravel which organizational variables have a moderating and/or mediating effect on the entrepreneurial orientation-performance relationship. By investigating these contingency relationships, we further our understanding of how EO contributes to performance outcomes and whether certain organizational variables e.g. generational stage and family orientation moderate or mediate this relationship. Based on an extensive survey multiple quantitative econometric techniques including multiplicative interaction models and instrumental variable techniques such as two stage least squares will be performed in order to further our understanding of the entrepreneurial orientation-performance puzzle at private family firms.

Keywords:Family firms

Disciplines:Economics and business