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As long as you talk about me: The importance of family firm brands and the contingent role of family-firm identity

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  • Rovelli, Paola
  • Benedetti, Carlotta
  • Fronzetti Colladon, Andrea
  • De Massis, Alfredo

Abstract

This study explores the role of external audiences in determining the importance of family firm brands and the relationship with firm performance. Drawing on text mining and social network analysis techniques, and considering the brand prevalence, diversity, and connectivity dimensions, we use the semantic brand score to measure the importance the media give to family firm brands. The analysis of a sample of 52,555 news articles published in 2017 about 63 Italian entrepreneurial families reveals that brand importance is positively associated with family firm revenues, and this relationship is stronger when there is identity match between the family and the firm. This study advances current literature by offering a rich and multifaceted perspective on how external audiences perceptions of the brand shape family firm performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Rovelli, Paola & Benedetti, Carlotta & Fronzetti Colladon, Andrea & De Massis, Alfredo, 2022. "As long as you talk about me: The importance of family firm brands and the contingent role of family-firm identity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 692-700.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:139:y:2022:i:c:p:692-700
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.09.075
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. A. Fronzetti Colladon & B. Guardabascio & F. Venturini, 2023. "A new mapping of technological interdependence," Papers 2308.00014, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2024.
    3. Sun, Bing & Zhang, Yanfeng & Zhu, Kunyan & Mao, Hongying & Liang, Tian, 2024. "Is faster really better? The impact of digital transformation speed on firm financial distress: Based on the cost-benefit perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    4. Bargoni, Augusto & Alon, Ilan & Ferraris, Alberto, 2023. "A systematic review of family business and consumer behaviour," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
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    6. Rondi, Emanuela & Benedetti, Carlotta & Bettinelli, Cristina & De Massis, Alfredo, 2023. "Falling from grace: Family-based brands amidst scandals," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).

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