Share:


Family business innovativeness: a quantitative analysis of the individual and combined effect of size, age/generation and family ownership

    Denisa Skrbková Affiliation
    ; Petra Rydvalová Affiliation

Abstract

No large-scale quantitative studies exist on how the complex characteristics of the firm affect the innovativeness of family businesses. Our study is the first to quantitatively examine how size, age/generation and family ownership individually and in combination affect the innovativeness of family businesses, using data from 56 countries. Firstly, we found that medium and large family businesses are perceived by potential successors as more innovative than small businesses; secondly, that the trend of family business innovativeness changes over time and generations according to the U-shape line; and thirdly, that the most effective family ownership in terms of innovativeness seems to be that with exactly 50%. These results were subsequently confirmed by testing the combined effect of the above mentioned three characteristics. In contrast, small family businesses in which the second or any subsequent generation is involved and which are minority or majority family-owned are perceived as the least innovative family businesses. Our findings can help public authorities in deciding how to allocate public funds, investors in deciding how to co-finance projects, and family businesses in defining development and innovation strategies for their growth.


First published online 12 January 2024

Keyword : family business, family firm, innovativeness, business age/generation, business size, family ownership, one-way ANOVA, Kruskall–Wallis test

How to Cite
Skrbková, D., & Rydvalová, P. (2023). Family business innovativeness: a quantitative analysis of the individual and combined effect of size, age/generation and family ownership. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 24(6), 1059–1079. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2023.20642
Published in Issue
Dec 29, 2023
Abstract Views
410
PDF Downloads
383
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Anning-Dorson, T. (2021). Organizational culture and leadership as antecedents to organizational flexibility: Implications for SME competitiveness. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 13(5), 1309–1325. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-08-2020-0288

Antlová, K., Rydvalová, P., & Lamr, M. (2020). The role of the young generation in family business. In P. Doucek, G. Chroust, & V. Oškrdal (Eds.), Proceedings 28th conference IDIMT-2020, Digitalized Economy, Society and Information Management (pp. 133–141). Trauner Verlag. https://idimt.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IDIMT_proceedings_2020.pdf

Ballal, J. M., & Bapat, V. (2019). How does family succession impact family firms’ innovation? Asian Journal of Innovation and Policy, 8(2), 302–324. https://doi.org/10.7545/ajip.2019.8.2.302

Basco, R., & Calabrò, A. (2017). “Whom do I want to be the next CEO?” Desirable successor attributes in family firms. Journal of Business Economics, 87(4), 487–509. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11573-016-0828-2

Beck, L., Janssens, W., Debruyne, M., & Lommelen, T. (2011). A study of the relationships between generation, market orientation, and innovation in family firms. Family Business Review, 24(3), 252–272. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894486511409210

Bell, R., & Pham, T. T. (2020). Modelling the knowledge transfer process between founder and successor in Vietnamese family businesses succession. Journal of Family Business Management, 11(4), 479–495. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFBM-03-2020-0024

Block, J., Miller, D., Jaskiewicz, P., & Spiegel, F. (2013). Economic and technological importance of innovations in large family and founder firms: An analysis of patent data. Family Business Review, 26(2), 180–199. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894486513477454

Calabrò, A., Vecchiarini, M., Gast, J., Campopiano, G., Massis, A. D., & Kraus, S. (2019). Innovation in family firms: A Systematic literature review and guidance for future research. International Journal of Management Reviews, 21(3), 317–355. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12192

Chan, C. M. L., Teoh, S. Y., Yeow, A., & Pan, G. (2019). Agility in responding to disruptive digital innovation: Case study of an SME. Information Systems Journal, 29(2), 436–455. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12215

Chrisman, J., & Patel, P. (2011). Variations in R&D investments of family and nonfamily firms: Behavioral agency and myopic loss aversion perspectives. Academy of Management Journal, 55, 976–997. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2011.0211

Christa, U., & Kristinae, V. (2021). The effect of product innovation on business performance during COVID 19 pandemic. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 9(1), 151–158. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.uscm.2020.10.006

Chung, H.-M., & Chan, S.-T. (2012). Ownership structure, family leadership, and performance of affiliate firms in large family business groups. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 29(2), 303–329. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-011-9281-5

Cirillo, A., Huybrechts, J., Mussolino, D., Sciascia, S., & Voordeckers, W. (2020). Researching family business growth. European Management Review, 17(3), 733–746. https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12389

Civelek, M., Ključnikov, A., Fialova, V., Folvarčná, A., & Stoch, M. (2021). How innovativeness of family-owned SMEs differ depending on their characteristics? Equilibrium, 16(2), 413–428. https://doi.org/10.24136/eq.2021.015

Classen, N., Carree, M., Van Gils, A., & Peters, B. (2014). Innovation in family and non-family SMEs: An exploratory analysis. Small Business Economics, 42(3), 595–609. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-013-9490-z

Craig, J., & Dibrell, C. (2006). The natural environment, innovation, and firm performance: A comparative study. ERA – Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences, 21. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6248.2006.00075.x

Cucculelli, M., & Peruzzi, V. (2020). Innovation over the industry life-cycle. Does ownership matter? Research Policy, 49(1), Article 103878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2019.103878

Decker, C., & Günther, C. (2017). The impact of family ownership on innovation: Evidence from the German machine tool industry. Small Business Economics, 48(1), 199–212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-016-9775-0

Dess, G. G., & Robinson, R. B. (1984). Measuring organizational performance in the absence of objective measures: The case of the privately-held firm and conglomerate business unit. Strategic Management Journal, 5(3), 265–273. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250050306

Duong, P.-A. N., Voordeckers, W., Huybrechts, J., & Lambrechts, F. (2022). On external knowledge sources and innovation performance: Family versus non-family firms. Technovation, 114, Article 102448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2021.102448

Eddleston, K. A., Kellermanns, F. W., & Sarathy, R. (2008). Resource configuration in family firms: Linking resources, strategic planning and technological opportunities to performance. Journal of Management Studies, 45(1), 26–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2007.00717.x

EFB. (2017). European Family Businesses – Facts & Figures. Families in Business for the Long Term.

Fragoso, R., Scazziota, V., Guerrazzi, L., Quaresma, R., & Novas, J. C. (2023). Innovation ambidexterity and firm performance: The moderating effects of contextual factors. Entrepreneurship Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1515/erj-2022-0138

Gilbert, R. J. (2006). Competition and innovation. Journal of Industrial Organization Education, 1(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.2202/1935-5041.1007

Gubik, A. S., & Vörös, Z. (2023). Why narcissists may be successful entrepreneurs: The role of entrepreneurial social identity and overwork. Journal of Business Venturing Insights, 19, Article e00364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbvi.2022.e00364

GUESSS. (2021). Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey. https://www.guesssurvey.org/

Hidayati, A., Hermawan, A., Soehadi, A. W., & Hartoyo. (2020). Intra-family succession insights: The presence of millennial cohort successors. Journal of Family Business Management, 11(1), 107–135. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFBM-07-2019-0052

Holmberg-Wright, K., Hribar, T., & Tsegai, J. D. (2017). More than money: Business strategies to engage millennials, 9(2).

Huang, F.-M., Cvetkoska, V., Kassi, D. F., & Gnahe, F. E. (2023). The divergence effects of knowledge transfer in the family business: Evidence from Nanchang. FIIB Business Review, 23197145231167708. https://doi.org/10.1177/23197145231167707

Jeng, D. J., & Pak, A. (2016). The variable effects of dynamic capability by firm size: The interaction of innovation and marketing capabilities in competitive industries. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 12(1), 115–130. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-014-0330-7

Kellermanns, F. W., Eddleston, K. A., Sarathy, R., & Murphy, F. (2012). Innovativeness in family firms: A family influence perspective. Small Business Economics, 38(1), 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-010-9268-5

Kenyon-Rouvinez, D., & Ward, J. L. (2005). Introduction and models. In D. Kenyon-Rouvinez & J. L. Ward (Eds.), Family business: Key issues (pp. 1–16). Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230287730_1

Khan, M. A. (2022). Barriers constraining the growth of and potential solutions for emerging entrepreneurial SMEs. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 16(1), 38–50. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJIE-01-2022-0002

Kinkel, S., & Lay, G. (2012). Familienunternehmen: Langfristige Stabilität statt kurzfristiger Optimierung. Wettbewerbs- und Modernisierungsstrategien von Familienbetrieben im Vergleich zu anderen Betrieben.

Krstić, S., & Fedajev, A. (2020). The role and importance of large companies in the economy of the Republic of Serbia. Serbian Journal of Management, 15(2), 335–352. https://doi.org/10.5937/sjm15-19553

Léger, A., & Swaminathan, S. (2007). Innovation theories: Relevance and implications for developing country innovation. DIW Berlin.

Lesáková, Ľ., Ondrušová, A., & Vinczeová, M. (2019). Factors determining profi tability of small and medium enterprises in selected industry of mechanical engineering in the Slovak Republic – the empirical study. E+M Ekonomie a Management, 22(2), 144–160. https://doi.org/10.15240/tul/001/2019-2-010

Lim, E. N. K., Lubatkin, M. H., & Wiseman, R. M. (2010). A family firm variant of the behavioral agency theory. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 4(3), 197–211. https://doi.org/10.1002/sej.91

Mazzi, C. (2011). Family business and financial performance: Current state of knowledge and future research challenges. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 2, 166–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfbs.2011.07.001

Medase, S. K. (2020). Product innovation and employees’ slack time. The moderating role of firm age & size. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 5(3), 151–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2019.11.001

Merriam-Webster. (2023). Thesaurus by Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus

Muñoz-Bullón, F., & Sanchez-Bueno, M. J. (2011). The impact of family involvement on the R&D intensity of publicly traded firms. Family Business Review, 24(1), 62–70. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894486510396870

Nejman, Z., Sadlowska-Wrzesinska, J., Jalowiec, T., & Wojtaszek, H. (2021). Analysis of factors influencing the motivation of production workers: Experiences of Polish family businesses. https://doi.org/10.35808/ersj/1985

Núñez-Cacho, P., & Lorenzo, D. (2020). Temporary factors that condition innovation: Comparison between family and non-family businesses. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 7(3), 1740–1759. https:// doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2020.7.3(20)

Nwuke, O., Nwoye, C., & Onoyima, N. (2020). Family businesses, succession and survival strategies. In O. Adeola (Ed.), Indigenous African enterprise (Vol. 26, pp. 59–71). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1877-636120200000026005

OECD. (2021). Entrepreneurship – Enterprises by business size – OECD Data. The OECD. http://data.oecd.org/entrepreneur/enterprises-by-business-size.htm

Oswald, S. L., Muse, L. A., & Rutherford, M. W. (2009). The influence of large stake family control on performance: Is it agency or entrenchment? Journal of Small Business Management, 47(1), 116–135. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-627X.2008.00264.x

Peráček, T., Vilčeková, L., & Strážovská, Ľ. (2020). Selected problems of family business: A Case study from Slovakia. Acta Polytechnica Hungarica, 17, 145–162. https://doi.org/10.12700/APH.17.7.2020.7.8

Pohjola, M., & Koponen, A. (2012). Innovation in family firms: An empirical analysis linking organizational and managerial innovation to corporate success. Review of Managerial Science, 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-011-0065-6

Schulze, A., Townsend, J. D., & Talay, M. B. (2022). Completing the market orientation matrix: The impact of proactive competitor orientation on innovation and firm performance. Industrial Marketing Management, 103, 198–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2022.03.013

Setiyani, A., Sutawijaya, A., Nawangsari, L. C., & Endri, E. (2020). Motivation and the millennial generation. International Journal of Innovation, 13(6).

Sieger, P., Fueglistaller, U., & Zellweger, T. (2014). Student entrepreneurship across the globe: A look at intentions and activities. Swiss Research Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Gallen (KMU-HSG). https://www.guesssurvey.org/resources/PDF_InterReports/GUESSS_INT_2013_REPORT.pdf

Sieger, P., Fueglistaller, U., & Zellweger, T. (2016). Student entrepreneurship 2016: Insights from 50 countries. KMU-HSG/IMU. https://www.guesssurvey.org/resources/PDF_InterReports/GUESSS_2016_INT_Report_final5.pdf

Sieger, P., Raemy, L., Zellweger, T., Fueglistaller, U., & Hatak, I. (2021). Global student entrepreneurship 2021: Insights from 58 countries. KMU-HSG/IMU-U.

Steiger, T., Duller, C., & Hiebl, M. (2015). No consensus in sight: An Analysis of ten years of family business definitions in empirical research studies. Journal of Enterprising Culture, 23, 25–62. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0218495815500028

Subramanian, A. (1996). Innovativeness: Redefining the concept. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 13(3), 223–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0923-4748(96)01007-7

Vakulenko, M. (2021). The moderating role of innovation capability in the relationship between the liability of smallness and innovative outputs. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 33(8), 914–926. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2020.1850674

Waldkirch, M. (2020). Non-family CEOs in family firms: Spotting gaps and challenging assumptions for a future research agenda. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 11(1), Article 100305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfbs.2019.100305

Wei, X., & Chen, L. (2022). Dispersion of family ownership and innovation input in family firms. Sustainability, 14(14), Article 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148418

Weiblen, T., & Chesbrough, H. (2015). Engaging with Startups to enhance corporate innovation. California Management Review, 57, 66–90. https://doi.org/10.1525/cmr.2015.57.2.66

Werner, A., Schröder, C., & Mohr, B. (2013). Innovationstätigkeit von Familienunternehmen. 64. Institut für Mittelstandsforschung Bonn.

Xiong, Z., Yan, J., & Wang, L. (2021). Impression management strategy of coping with entrepreneurial failure stigma: A two-path theoretical model. E+M Ekonomie a Management, 24(4), 72–85. https://doi.org/10.15240/tul/001/2021-4-005

Zellweger, T. (2017). Managing the family business: Theory and practice. Edward Elgar Publishing.