IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/fambus/v2y2011i3p117-127.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Crossroads of family business research and firm demography—A critical assessment of family business survival rates

Author

Listed:
  • Stamm, Isabell
  • Lubinski, Christina

Abstract

Do family firms rise and decline in three generations? Not only since Thomas Mann's “The Buddenbrooks” has the survival rate of family firms intrigued family business scholars, practitioners and consultants. In this article, we trace the family firm survival rate to its roots and discuss its empirical basis and univocal reading. We then ask how the mortality of family businesses could be measured, and which contextual factors need to be taken into account. To this end we explore the literature on firm demography, a field which is particularly concerned with age and mortality, and identify crossroads with family business studies. We conclude by suggesting a re-conceptualization of survival rates within a larger firm demographic research framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Stamm, Isabell & Lubinski, Christina, 2011. "Crossroads of family business research and firm demography—A critical assessment of family business survival rates," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 2(3), pages 117-127.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:fambus:v:2:y:2011:i:3:p:117-127
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfbs.2011.07.002
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187785851100043X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jfbs.2011.07.002?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marcus Dejardin, 2004. "Sectoral and cross-sectoral effects of retailing firm demographies," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 38(2), pages 311-334, June.
    2. Johnson, Peter & Parker, Simon, 1994. "The Interrelationships between Births and Deaths," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 6(4), pages 283-290, August.
    3. Colli, Andrea & Pérez, Paloma Fernández & Rose, Mary B., 2003. "National Determinants of Family Firm Development? Family Firms in Britain, Spain, and Italy in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries," Enterprise & Society, Cambridge University Press, vol. 4(1), pages 28-64, March.
    4. Franks, Julian & Mayer, Colin, 2001. "Ownership and Control of German Corporations," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 14(4), pages 943-977.
    5. Leo van Wissen & Jouke van Dijk, 2004. "Editorial introduction Demography of the firm and spatial dynamics," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 38(2), pages 193-197, June.
    6. Leo J.G. van Wissen, 2002. "Demography of the Firm: A Useful Metaphor?," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 18(3), pages 263-279, September.
    7. Morten Bennedsen & Kasper Meisner Nielsen & Francisco Perez-Gonzalez & Daniel Wolfenzon, 2007. "Inside the Family Firm: The Role of Families in Succession Decisions and Performance," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 122(2), pages 647-691.
    8. Dunne, Paul & Hughes, Alan, 1994. "Age, Size, Growth and Survival: UK Companies in the 1980s," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(2), pages 115-140, June.
    9. Pieper, Torsten M., 2010. "Non solus: Toward a psychology of family business," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 1(1), pages 26-39, March.
    10. Rafael La Porta & Florencio Lopez‐De‐Silanes & Andrei Shleifer, 1999. "Corporate Ownership Around the World," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 54(2), pages 471-517, April.
    11. Berghoff, Hartmut, 2006. "The End of Family Business? The Mittelstand and German Capitalism in Transition, 1949–2000," Business History Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 80(2), pages 263-295, July.
    12. Winter, Mary & Danes, Sharon M. & Koh, Sun-Kang & Fredericks, Kelly & Paul, Jennifer J., 2004. "Tracking family businesses and their owners over time: panel attrition, manager departure and business demise," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 535-559, July.
    13. Martin Ruef, 2010. "The Entrepreneurial Group: Social Identities, Relations, and Collective Action," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 9214.
    14. W. Gibb Dyer Jr. & Wendy Handler, 1994. "Entrepreneurship and Family Business: Exploring the Connections," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 19(1), pages 71-83, October.
    15. Carroll, Glenn R, 1997. "Long-Term Evolutionary Change in organizational Populations: Theory, Models and Empirical Findings in Industrial Demography," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 6(1), pages 119-143.
    16. Haveman, Heather A. & Khaire, Mukti V., 2004. "Survival beyond succession? The contingent impact of founder succession on organizational failure," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 437-463, May.
    17. Dyck, Bruno & Mauws, Michael & Starke, Frederick A. & Mischke, Gary A., 2002. "Passing the baton: The importance of sequence, timing, technique and communication in executive succession," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 143-162, March.
    18. repec:cup:buhirw:v:80:y:2006:i:02:p:263-295_00 is not listed on IDEAS
    19. Pramodita Sharma & James J. Chrisman & Amy L. Pablo & Jess H. Chua, 2001. "Determinants of Initial Satisfaction with the Succession Process in Family Firms: A Conceptual Model," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 25(3), pages 17-36, April.
    20. repec:ucp:bkecon:9789052600246 is not listed on IDEAS
    21. Manuel Vallejo & Delia Langa, 2010. "Effects of Family Socialization in the Organizational Commitment of the Family Firms from the Moral Economy Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 96(1), pages 49-62, September.
    22. Steier, Lloyd P. & Miller, Danny, 2010. "Pre- and post-succession governance philosophies in entrepreneurial family firms," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 1(3), pages 145-154, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Torsten M. Pieper & Ralph I. Williams Jr. & Scott C. Manley & Lucy M. Matthews, 2020. "What Time May Tell: An Exploratory Study of the Relationship Between Religiosity, Temporal Orientation, and Goals in Family Business," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 163(4), pages 759-773, May.
    2. Baronchelli, Gianpaolo & Bettinelli, Cristina & Del Bosco, Barbara & Loane, Sharon, 2016. "The impact of family involvement on the investments of Italian small-medium enterprises in psychically distant countries," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(4), pages 960-970.
    3. Moritz Belling & Ulrich Pidun & Dodo zu Knyphausen-Aufseß, 2021. "Unbundling Strategic Change in Family Firms: the Influence of Familiness on the Strategic Change Process," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 73(3), pages 381-411, December.
    4. Luciano Ciravegna & Liena Kano & Francesco Rattalino & Alain Verbeke, 2020. "Corporate Diplomacy and Family Firm Longevity," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 44(1), pages 109-133, January.
    5. Ewa Wiecek-Janka & Rafal Mierzwiak & Marcin Nowak & Agnieszka Kujawinska & Joanna Majchrzak, 2021. "Application of Grey Systems Theory in the Analysis of Data Obtained from Family Businesses," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special 1), pages 494-510.
    6. Sund, Lars-Göran & Melin, Leif & Haag, Kajsa, 2015. "Intergenerational ownership succession," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 6(3), pages 166-177.
    7. Stewart, Alex, 2020. "Family control, ambivalence, and preferential benefits," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 11(4).
    8. Porfírio, José António & Felício, José Augusto & Carrilho, Tiago, 2020. "Family business succession: Analysis of the drivers of success based on entrepreneurship theory," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 250-257.
    9. José António Porfírio & Tiago Carrilho & Joseph Hassid & Ricardo Rodrigues, 2019. "Family Business Succession in Different National Contexts: A Fuzzy-Set QCA Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-17, November.
    10. Aldrich, Howard E. & Brumana, Mara & Campopiano, Giovanna & Minola, Tommaso, 2021. "Embedded but not asleep: Entrepreneurship and family business research in the 21st century," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 12(1).
    11. Wilson, Shawn R. & Whitmoyer, Jeffrey G. & Pieper, Torsten M. & Astrachan, Joseph H. & Hair, Joseph F. & Sarstedt, Marko, 2014. "Method trends and method needs: Examining methods needed for accelerating the field," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 4-14.
    12. Paulette Robic & Dominique Barbelivien & Nicolas Antheaume, 2013. "La fabrique de l'entrepreneur familial. Une institutionnalisation du processus de transmission comme facteur de pérennité des entreprises familiales," Working Papers hal-00829947, HAL.
    13. Fabiana Pinto de Almeida Bizarria & Flavia Lorenne Sampaio Barbosa & Fagner Martins Santana & Rogeane Morais Ribeiro & Maria do Socorro Silva Mesquita, 2022. "Contributions to Succession in a Family Business from the Perspective of Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students’ Survey (GUESSS)," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 14(12), pages 1-12, December.
    14. Mohammed Oudah & Fauzia Jabeen & Christopher Dixon, 2018. "Determinants Linked to Family Business Sustainability in the UAE: An AHP Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-23, January.
    15. Jabir Ali & Ashwin Chandra & Tabassum Ali, 2017. "Self-started versus Family Inherited Businesses: A Comparison of Managing Unorganized Food Grocery Retail Stores in an Emerging Economy," Business Perspectives and Research, , vol. 5(1), pages 24-35, January.
    16. Sven Wolff & Christina Guenther & Petra Moog & David B. Audretsch, 2023. "The geography of the continuum of entrepreneurship activities—a first glance based on German data," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(4), pages 1243-1273, August.
    17. Mariotti, Sergio & Marzano, Riccardo & Piscitello, Lucia, 2021. "The role of family firms’ generational heterogeneity in the entry mode choice in foreign markets," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 800-812.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ahrens, Jan-Philipp & Uhlaner, Lorraine & Woywode, Michael & Zybura, Jan, 2018. "“Shadow emperor” or “loyal paladin”? – The Janus face of previous owner involvement in family firm successions," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 9(1), pages 73-90.
    2. Mattias Nordqvist & Karl Wennberg & Massimo Bau’ & Karin Hellerstedt, 2013. "An entrepreneurial process perspective on succession in family firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 40(4), pages 1087-1122, May.
    3. Patrizia Fanasch & Bernd Frick, 2021. "Filling Big Shoes: CEO and COO Succession Planning in Family Businesses," Working Papers Dissertations 69, Paderborn University, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics.
    4. Michel, Alexandra & Kammerlander, Nadine, 2015. "Trusted advisors in a family business's succession-planning process—An agency perspective," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 6(1), pages 45-57.
    5. Rodrigo Basco & Andrea Calabrò, 2017. "“Whom do I want to be the next CEO?” Desirable successor attributes in family firms," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 87(4), pages 487-509, May.
    6. Rajiv Agarwal & Arya Kumar & Keith D'Souza, 2016. "Issues in Career Choices of Successors in Family Businesses: Perspective from Literature Review," Journal of Applied Management and Investments, Department of Business Administration and Corporate Security, International Humanitarian University, vol. 5(1), pages 1-19, February.
    7. Sumon Kumar Bhaumik & Andros Gregoriou, 2010. "‘Family’ Ownership, Tunnelling And Earnings Management: A Review Of The Literature," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(4), pages 705-730, September.
    8. Stewart, Alex, 2020. "Family control, ambivalence, and preferential benefits," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 11(4).
    9. Arrondo-García, Rubén & Fernández-Méndez, Carlos & Menéndez-Requejo, Susana, 2016. "The growth and performance of family businesses during the global financial crisis: The role of the generation in control," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 7(4), pages 227-237.
    10. Jeffery S. McMullen & Benjamin J. Warnick, 2015. "To Nurture or Groom? The Parent–Founder Succession Dilemma," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 39(6), pages 1379-1412, November.
    11. Giuseppe Arcuri & Marc Brunetto & Nadine Levratto, 2019. "Spatial patterns and determinants of firm exit: an empirical analysis on France," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 62(1), pages 99-118, February.
    12. Mahto, Raj V. & Vora, Gautam & McDowell, William C. & Khanin, Dmitry, 2020. "Family member commitment, the opportunity costs of staying, and turnover intentions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 9-19.
    13. Tappeiner, Florian & Howorth, Carole & Achleitner, Ann-Kristin & Schraml, Stephanie, 2012. "Demand for private equity minority investments: A study of large family firms," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 3(1), pages 38-51.
    14. Francesca Culasso & Elisa Giacosa & Luca Maria Manzi & Leo-Paul Dana, 2018. "Professionalization in Family Businesses. How to strengthen strategy implementation and control, favouring succession," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2018(1), pages 45-71.
    15. Amarjit Gill, 2020. "Impact of Family Control on Intrafamily Succession Intention and Firm Investment," International Journal of Business and Economics, School of Management Development, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan, vol. 19(3), pages 237-256, December.
    16. Hamilton, Eleanor & Discua Cruz, Allan & Jack, Sarah, 2017. "Re-framing the status of narrative in family business research: Towards an understanding of families in business," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 8(1), pages 3-12.
    17. William S. Schulze & Eric R. Gedajlovic, 2010. "Whither Family Business?," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(2), pages 191-204, March.
    18. Elena Dalpiaz & Paul Tracey & Nelson Phillips, 2014. "Succession Narratives in Family Business: The Case of Alessi," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 38(6), pages 1375-1394, November.
    19. Basco, Rodrigo, 2015. "Family business and regional development—A theoretical model of regional familiness," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 6(4), pages 259-271.
    20. Sarkar, Jayati & Selarka, Ekta, 2021. "Women on board and performance of family firms: Evidence from India," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:fambus:v:2:y:2011:i:3:p:117-127. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/719791/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.