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Leadership Styles and Leadership Behaviors in Family Firms: A Systematic Literature Review

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  • Fries, Alexander
  • Kammerlander, Nadine
  • Leitterstorf, Max

Abstract

Family firms are characterized by specific leadership settings that have recently attracted increasing scholarly attention. This study provides a systematic review of the academic literature on leadership in family firms. The systematic search process resulted in 99 relevant articles that were published in 25 different peer-reviewed journals. Based on our review, we contrast and integrate generic leadership styles, originating from the general leadership literature, with family firm-specific leadership behaviors. Moreover, we develop a framework that categorizes the identified literature and outlines specific antecedents as well as outcomes of leadership styles and behaviors in family firms. Finally, we discuss fruitful avenues for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Fries, Alexander & Kammerlander, Nadine & Leitterstorf, Max, 2021. "Leadership Styles and Leadership Behaviors in Family Firms: A Systematic Literature Review," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 12(1).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:fambus:v:12:y:2021:i:1:s1877858520301017
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfbs.2020.100374
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Pearce, Craig L. & Houghton, Jeffrey D. & Manz, Charles C. & Dillon, Pamela J. & Fugate, Mel & Wassenaar, Christina L., 2023. "Time for a group hug? Toward a theory of shared emotional leadership in and of family business," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 14(2).
    3. Martínez-Alonso, Rubén & Martínez-Romero, María J. & Rojo-Ramírez, Alfonso A., 2024. "Unveiling new opportunities: A mixed gamble approach to external search breadth within family firms," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    4. Sri Handayani & Suharnomo Suharnomo & Edy Rahardja, 2022. "Transactional Leadership, Well-Being Support, OCB-Altruism, and Employee Performance: Testing Their Relationship," Review of Applied Socio-Economic Research, Pro Global Science Association, vol. 24(2), pages 70-88, December.
    5. Paul Sanchez & Robert J. Pidduck & Duygu Phillips & Joshua J. Daspit & Daniel T. Holt, 2024. "From modesty to market: shareholder reactions to humility rhetoric in family and nonfamily firms under media scrutiny," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 63(2), pages 755-780, August.
    6. Cirillo, Alessandro & Maggi, Barbara & Sciascia, Salvatore & Lazzarotti, Valentina & Visconti, Federico, 2022. "Exploring family millennials’ involvement in family business internationalization: Who should be their leader?," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 13(3).
    7. Singh, Anjali & Lim, Weng Marc & Jha, Sumi & Kumar, Satish & Ciasullo, Maria Vincenza, 2023. "The state of the art of strategic leadership," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    8. Fabel, Oliver & Mináriková, Dana & Hopp, Christian, 2022. "Differences and similarities in executive hiring decisions of family and non-family firms," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 13(2).
    9. Azizi, Mohammad & Salmani Bidgoli, Masoud & Maley, Jane F. & Dabić, Marina, 2022. "A stewardship perspective in family firms: A new perspective for altruism and social capital," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 764-775.
    10. Sofia Brunelli & Salvatore Sciascia & Massimo Baù, 2024. "Nonfinancial reporting in family firms: A systematic review and agenda for future research," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 162-179, February.

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