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Wait or pivot? Family and non-family firms’ strategic responses to COVID-19 and employment change

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  • Issah, Wunnam
  • Calabrò, Andrea
  • Clauss, Thomas
  • Valentino, Alfredo
  • Diaz-Matajira, Luis

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of different strategic behaviors adopted during COVID-19 pandemic on employment change (a percentage change in the number of employees) in both family and non-family firms. We use an international survey-based dataset of 2,192 family and non-family firms. We provide evidence that a pivoting strategy (transforming the business) could prevent layoffs. Finally, while transparent leadership communication positively moderates the effect of pivoting on employment change in non-family firms it shows an opposite effect in family firms.

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  • Issah, Wunnam & Calabrò, Andrea & Clauss, Thomas & Valentino, Alfredo & Diaz-Matajira, Luis, 2024. "Wait or pivot? Family and non-family firms’ strategic responses to COVID-19 and employment change," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:184:y:2024:i:c:s0148296324003898
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114885
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