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The Family: The Missing Variable in Organizational Research

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  • W. Gibb Dyer Jr.

Abstract

Few studies in the mainstream management literature have included the family as a variable. The focus of this article is to describe (1) why there is a dearth of research using family as a variable; (2) how failing to use the family as a variable in organizational research can lead to incomplete or misleading findings; (3) the issues and concerns related to using the family as a variable in organizational research; and (4) options in research design for using the family as a variable. Given that the vast majority of organizations can be classified as “family firms,†including the family as a variable in research designs will provide researchers with theories that are more robust and that can be generalized to a larger population of organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • W. Gibb Dyer Jr., 2003. "The Family: The Missing Variable in Organizational Research," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 27(4), pages 401-416, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:27:y:2003:i:4:p:401-416
    DOI: 10.1111/1540-8520.00018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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