IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/entthe/v44y2020i1p134-157.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Invisible Hand of Evolutionary Psychology: The Importance of Kinship in First-Generation Family Firms

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaodong Yu
  • Laura Stanley
  • Yuping Li
  • Kimberly A. Eddleston
  • Franz W. Kellermanns

Abstract

While previous studies focus on differences between family and nonfamily firms regarding CEO selection and executive compensation, this study investigates differences among family firms with different types of kinship ties. We find that, compared with family firms with close kinship ties, those with distant kinship ties are more likely to appoint a nonfamily CEO and to pay nonfamily executives lower salaries. This relationship is moderated by firm performance and family ownership. Based on evolutionary psychology, we propose that family firms with close versus distant kinships have different motivation levels to preserve socioemotional wealth.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaodong Yu & Laura Stanley & Yuping Li & Kimberly A. Eddleston & Franz W. Kellermanns, 2020. "The Invisible Hand of Evolutionary Psychology: The Importance of Kinship in First-Generation Family Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 44(1), pages 134-157, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:44:y:2020:i:1:p:134-157
    DOI: 10.1177/1042258719838256
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1042258719838256
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/1042258719838256?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alfredo De Massis & Josip Kotlar & Mike Wright & Franz W. Kellermanns, 2018. "Sector-Based Entrepreneurial Capabilities and the Promise of Sector Studies in Entrepreneurship," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 42(1), pages 3-23, January.
    2. Jean–Luc Arregle & Lucia Naldi & Mattias Nordqvist & Michael A. Hitt, 2012. "Internationalization of Family–Controlled Firms: A Study of the Effects of External Involvement in Governance," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(6), pages 1115-1143, November.
    3. Andrea Boellis & Sergio Mariotti & Alessandro Minichilli & Lucia Piscitello, 2016. "Family involvement and firms’ establishment mode choice in foreign markets," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 47(8), pages 929-950, October.
    4. Vollan, Björn, 2011. "The difference between kinship and friendship: (Field-) experimental evidence on trust and punishment," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 14-25, February.
    5. Collin, Sven-Olof Yrjö & Ahlberg, Jenny, 2012. "Blood in the boardroom: Family relationships influencing the functions of the board," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 207-219.
    6. Jean-Luc Arrègle & Lucia Naldi & Mattias Nordqvist & Michael Hitt, 2012. "Internationalization of Family-Controlled Firms : A Study of the Effects of External Involvement in Governance," Post-Print hal-02312678, HAL.
    7. Danny Miller & Isabelle Le Breton‐Miller & Barry Scholnick, 2008. "Stewardship vs. Stagnation: An Empirical Comparison of Small Family and Non‐Family Businesses," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(1), pages 51-78, January.
    8. Jess H. Chua & James J. Chrisman & Lloyd P. Steier & Sabine B. Rau, 2012. "Sources of Heterogeneity in Family Firms: An Introduction," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(6), pages 1103-1113, November.
    9. Rafael La Porta & Florencio Lopez‐De‐Silanes & Andrei Shleifer, 1999. "Corporate Ownership Around the World," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 54(2), pages 471-517, April.
    10. Mark Mitchell & Todd Pulvino & Erik Stafford, 2002. "Limited Arbitrage in Equity Markets," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 57(2), pages 551-584, April.
    11. Mario Daniele Amore & Orsola Garofalo & Alessandro Minichilli, 2014. "Gender Interactions Within the Family Firm," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 60(5), pages 1083-1097, May.
    12. Alex Stewart, 2003. "Help One Another, Use One Another: Toward an Anthropology of Family Business," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 27(4), pages 383-396, October.
    13. Yang, Chulguen & Colarelli, Stephen M. & Han, Kyunghee & Page, Robert, 2011. "Start-up and hiring practices of immigrant entrepreneurs: An empirical study from an evolutionary psychological perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(6), pages 636-645.
    14. Luis R. Gomez–Mejia & Joanna Tochman Campbell & Geoffrey Martin & Robert E. Hoskisson & Marianna Makri & David G. Sirmon, 2014. "Socioemotional Wealth as a Mixed Gamble: Revisiting Family Firm R&D Investments with the Behavioral Agency Model," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 38(6), pages 1351-1374, November.
    15. Jensen, Michael C & Murphy, Kevin J, 1990. "Performance Pay and Top-Management Incentives," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 98(2), pages 225-264, April.
    16. James G. Combs & Christopher R. Penney & T. Russell Crook & Jeremy C. Short, 2010. "The Impact of Family Representation on CEO Compensation," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 34(6), pages 1125-1144, November.
    17. William S. Schulze & Michael H. Lubatkin & Richard N. Dino & Ann K. Buchholtz, 2001. "Agency Relationships in Family Firms: Theory and Evidence," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 12(2), pages 99-116, April.
    18. Ge, Jianhua & Stanley, Laura J. & Eddleston, Kimberly & Kellermanns, Franz W., 2017. "Institutional deterioration and entrepreneurial investment: The role of political connections," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 405-419.
    19. Ahn, Hee-Joon & Cai, Jun & Hamao, Yasushi & Ho, Richard Y.K., 2005. "Adverse selection, brokerage coverage, and trading activity on the Tokyo Stock Exchange," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 29(6), pages 1483-1508, June.
    20. Franz W. Kellermanns & Kimberly A. Eddleston & Thomas M. Zellweger, 2012. "Article Commentary: Extending the Socioemotional Wealth Perspective: A Look at the Dark Side," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(6), pages 1175-1182, November.
    21. James J. Chrisman & Pramodita Sharma & Lloyd P. Steier & Jess H. Chua, 2013. "The Influence of Family Goals, Governance, and Resources on Firm Outcomes," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 37(6), pages 1249-1261, November.
    22. Alain Verbeke & Liena Kano, 2012. "The Transaction Cost Economics Theory of the Family Firm: Family–Based Human Asset Specificity and the Bifurcation Bias," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(6), pages 1183-1205, November.
    23. Hannes Hauswald & Andreas Hack & Franz W. Kellermanns & Holger Patzelt, 2016. "Attracting New Talent to Family Firms: Who is Attracted and under what Conditions?," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 40(5), pages 963-989, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Feng, Cong & Xiang, Kexin, 2023. "Structural power of female executives and retailer profitability: A contingent resource-based perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    2. Ruijie Jin & Helen Wei Hu, 2024. "Liability of Ownership Origin, Corporate Philanthropy, and Desire for Control in Chinese Family Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 48(3), pages 763-787, May.
    3. Martínez-Sanchis, Paula & Aragón-Amonarriz, Cristina & Iturrioz-Landart, Cristina, 2020. "How the Pygmalion Effect operates in intra-family succession: Shared expectations in family SMEs," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(6), pages 914-926.
    4. Wu, Sihong & Chirico, Francesco & Fan, Di & Ding, Jiayan & Su, Yiyi, 2024. "Foreign market exit in family firms: Do historical military and cultural frictions matter?," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 59(1).
    5. Pramodita Sharma & James J. Chrisman & Jess H. Chua & Lloyd P. Steier, 2020. "Family Firm Behavior From a Psychological Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 44(1), pages 3-19, January.
    6. Maarten B.T. de Groot & Oli R. Mihalache & Tom Elfring, 2022. "Toward a Theory of Family Social Capital in Wealthy Transgenerational Enterprise Families," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 46(1), pages 159-192, January.
    7. Shi, Xin & Hou, Jingru & Gu, Qiankun, 2023. "In-laws’ involvement in management and tax avoidance: Evidence from family firms in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Pramodita Sharma & James J. Chrisman & Jess H. Chua & Lloyd P. Steier, 2020. "Family Firm Behavior From a Psychological Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 44(1), pages 3-19, January.
    2. Xueru Yang & Jun Li & Laura J. Stanley & Franz W. Kellermanns & Xinchun Li, 2020. "How family firm characteristics affect internationalization of Chinese family SMEs," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 37(2), pages 417-448, June.
    3. Veider, Viktoria & Matzler, Kurt, 2016. "The ability and willingness of family-controlled firms to arrive at organizational ambidexterity," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 7(2), pages 105-116.
    4. Christensen-Salem, Amanda & Mesquita, Luiz F. & Hashimoto, Marcos & Hom, Peter W. & Gomez-Mejia, Luis R., 2021. "Family firms are indeed better places to work than non-family firms! Socioemotional wealth and employees’ perceived organizational caring," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 12(1).
    5. Fynn-Willem Lohe & Andrea Calabrò & Mariateresa Torchia, 2021. "Disentangling the drivers of family firms internationalization through the lens of socioemotional wealth," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 479-509, December.
    6. Kai Xu & Michael A. Hitt, 2020. "The international expansion of family firms: The moderating role of internal financial slack and external capital availability," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 37(1), pages 127-153, March.
    7. Requejo, Ignacio & Reyes-Reina, Fernando & Sanchez-Bueno, Maria J. & Suárez-González, Isabel, 2018. "European family firms and acquisition propensity: A comprehensive analysis of the legal system’s role," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 9(1), pages 44-58.
    8. Kai Xu & Michael A. Hitt & Stewart R. Miller, 2020. "The ownership structure contingency in the sequential international entry mode decision process: Family owners and institutional investors in family-dominant versus family-influenced firms," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(2), pages 151-171, March.
    9. Xu, Kai & Hitt, Michael A. & Dai, Li, 2020. "International diversification of family-dominant firms: Integrating socioemotional wealth and behavioral theory of the firm," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 55(3).
    10. Carney, Michael & Duran, Patricio & van Essen, Marc & Shapiro, Daniel, 2017. "Family firms, internationalization, and national competitiveness: Does family firm prevalence matter?," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 8(3), pages 123-136.
    11. Jelle Schepers & Wim Voordeckers & Tensie Steijvers & Eddy Laveren, 2021. "Entrepreneurial intention-action gap in family firms: bifurcation bias and the board of directors as an economizing mechanism," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 11(3), pages 451-475, September.
    12. Debellis, Francesco & Rondi, Emanuela & Plakoyiannaki, Emmanuella & De Massis, Alfredo, 2021. "Riding the waves of family firm internationalization: A systematic literature review, integrative framework, and research agenda," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 56(1).
    13. James J. Chrisman & Jess H. Chua & Isabelle Le Breton-Miller & Danny Miller & Lloyd P. Steier, 2018. "Governance Mechanisms and Family Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 42(2), pages 171-186, March.
    14. Rosalia Santulli & Mariateresa Torchia & Andrea Calabrò & Carmen Gallucci, 2019. "Family ownership concentration and firm internationalization: integrating principal-principal and socioemotional wealth perspectives," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 220-248, June.
    15. Fabel, Oliver & Mináriková, Dana & Hopp, Christian, 2022. "Differences and similarities in executive hiring decisions of family and non-family firms," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 13(2).
    16. Thomas M. Zellweger & James J. Chrisman & Jess H. Chua & Lloyd P. Steier, 2019. "Social Structures, Social Relationships, and Family Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 43(2), pages 207-223, March.
    17. Andrea Calabrò & James J. Chrisman & Liena Kano, 2022. "Family-owned multinational enterprises in the post-pandemic global economy," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(5), pages 920-935, July.
    18. Jean-Luc Arregle & Francesco Chirico & Liena Kano & Sumit K. Kundu & Antonio Majocchi & William S. Schulze, 2021. "Family firm internationalization: Past research and an agenda for the future," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(6), pages 1159-1198, August.
    19. Jean–Luc Arregle & Patricio Duran & Michael A. Hitt & Marc van Essen, 2017. "Why is Family Firms’ Internationalization Unique? A Meta–Analysis," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 41(5), pages 801-831, September.
    20. Miralles-Marcelo, José Luis & Miralles-Quirós, Maria del Mar & Lisboa, Inês, 2014. "The impact of family control on firm performance: Evidence from Portugal and Spain," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(2), pages 156-168.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:44:y:2020:i:1:p:134-157. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.