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Succession Narratives in Family Business: The Case of Alessi

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  • Elena Dalpiaz
  • Paul Tracey
  • Nelson Phillips

Abstract

One of the most significant challenges facing family firms is how to successfully manage succession from one generation of leaders to the next. In this paper, we contribute to existing understandings of this complex and difficult process by exploring how successors use family business succession narratives to legitimate their succession. Building on a case study of Alessi, a family–owned Italian design firm, we draw on the literature on organizational narratives to develop a framework for understanding family business succession narratives and present a typology of some of the narrative strategies that can be used during succession. We conclude with a discussion of the theoretical and practical ramifications of a narrative view of succession in family firms.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:38:y:2014:i:6:p:1375-1394
    DOI: 10.1111/etap.12129
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cavotta, Valeria & Dalpiaz, Elena, 2022. "Good apples in spoiled barrels: A temporal model of firm formalization in a field characterized by widespread informality," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(2).
    2. Bingbing Ge & Alfredo De Massis & Josip Kotlar, 2022. "Mining the Past: History Scripting Strategies and Competitive Advantage in a Family Business," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 46(1), pages 223-251, January.
    3. Julia VINCENT PONROY & Patrick LÊ & Camille PRADIES, 2019. "In a Family Way? A Model of Family Firm Identity Maintenance by Non-Family Members," Working Papers 2019-015, Department of Research, Ipag Business School.
    4. Mussolino, Donata & Cicellin, Mariavittoria & Pezzillo Iacono, Mario & Consiglio, Stefano & Martinez, Marcello, 2019. "Daughters’ self-positioning in family business succession: A narrative inquiry," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 72-86.
    5. Rolf Wilmes & Leif Brändle & Andreas Kuckertz, 2024. "Seeds in rocky soil: the interactive role of entrepreneurial legacy and bridging in family firms’ organizational ambidexterity," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 63(3), pages 1041-1064, October.
    6. Sentuti, Annalisa & Cesaroni, Francesca Maria & Demartini, Paola, 2024. "Through her eyes: How daughter successors perceive their fathers in shaping their entrepreneurial identity," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 15(2).
    7. Nathan L. Hammond & Allison W. Pearson & Daniel T. Holt, 2016. "The Quagmire of Legacy in Family Firms: Definition and Implications of Family and Family Firm Legacy Orientations," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 40(6), pages 1209-1231, November.
    8. Akhmedova, Anna & Cavallotti, Rita & Marimon, Frederic & Campopiano, Giovanna, 2020. "Daughters’ careers in family business: Motivation types and family-specific barriers," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 11(3).
    9. Boris Rumanko & Zuzana Lušňáková & Monika Moravanská & Mária Šajbidorová, 2021. "Succession as a Risk Process in the Survival of a Family Business—Case of Slovakia," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-20, September.
    10. Maria Aluchna & Nazim Hussain & Maria Roszkowska-Menkes, 2019. "Integrated Reporting Narratives: The Case of an Industry Leader," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-16, February.
    11. 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).
    12. Jon C. Carr & James J. Chrisman & Jess H. Chua & Lloyd P. Steier, 2016. "Family Firm Challenges in Intergenerational Wealth Transfer," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 40(6), pages 1197-1208, November.
    13. Rebecca Alguera Kleine & Bingbing Ge & Alfredo Massis, 2024. "Look in to look out: strategy and family business identity during COVID-19," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 63(3), pages 993-1018, October.
    14. Liu, Fangyi, 2021. "Family business succession roadblock model based on fuzzy linguistic preference relations," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    15. Mike Wright & James J. Chrisman & Jess H. Chua & Lloyd P. Steier, 2014. "Family Enterprise and Context," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 38(6), pages 1247-1260, November.
    16. Abel Duarte Alonso & Seng Kok & Michelle O’Shea, 2018. "Family Businesses and Adaptation: A Dynamic Capabilities Approach," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 39(4), pages 683-698, December.
    17. Wu Zhao & Wei Liu & Yun Chen, 2019. "Internal Fission Strategies in Corporate Entrepreneurship: A Case Study in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-20, September.

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