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CEO leadership and board decision processes in family-controlled firms: comparing family and non-family CEOs

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  • Fabio Zona

    (University of Trento
    ICRIOS Bocconi University)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of board decision processes on board task performance in family firms, contingent upon the presence of a family or a non-family CEO. Bridging insights from behavioral research on boards and the upper echelons perspective, it is suggested that influence of board decision processes on performance benefits from different aspects of CEO attributes. To the extent that family and non-family CEOs exhibit different cognitive frames, it is hypothesized that board processes contribute differently to board task performance, depending on whether a family or a non-family CEO is at the helm. An empirical analysis of a sample of Italian family firms provides support for two hypothesized effects: Use of knowledge and skills is more beneficial for board task performance under a non-family CEO; cognitive conflict is more beneficial under a family CEO. Contrary to expectations, the effects of effort norms do not differ between the two settings. This study contributes to research on both boards and family firms; new opportunities for advancements are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabio Zona, 2016. "CEO leadership and board decision processes in family-controlled firms: comparing family and non-family CEOs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 735-753, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:47:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s11187-016-9764-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-016-9764-3
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    8. Duan, Tinghua & Hou, Wenxuan & Rees, William, 2020. "CEO international experience and foreign IPOs," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 461-470.
    9. Catuogno, Simona & Arena, Claudia & Cirillo, Alessandro & Pennacchio, Luca, 2018. "Exploring the relation between family ownership and incentive stock options: The contingency of family leadership, board monitoring and financial crisis," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 9(1), pages 59-72.
    10. James J. Chrisman & Jess H. Chua & Alfredo Massis & Tommaso Minola & Silvio Vismara, 2016. "Management processes and strategy execution in family firms: from “what” to “how”," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 719-734, October.
    11. Pongelli, Claudia & Majocchi, Antonio & Bauweraerts, Jonathan & Sciascia, Salvatore & Caroli, Matteo & Verbeke, Alain, 2023. "The impact of board of directors’ characteristics on the internationalization of family SMEs," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(2).
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    13. 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).
    14. 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.
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