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Unearthing and Alleviating Emotions in Family Business Successions

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  • Alexandra Bertschi-Michel
  • Nadine Kammerlander
  • Vanessa M. Strike

Abstract

We follow one advisor and five family firm succession cases over 4 years to capture emerging emotions during the succession process. Using inductive analysis, we investigate how the advisor’s mediation of these emotions affects individual-level satisfaction with the succession process. Interviews, observation, meeting minutes, and archival data reveal an iterative process: the advisor first unearths the incumbent’s and successor’s emotions to surface emotional tensions before alleviating them. Unearthing and alleviating emotions speeds role adjustments and advances succession, especially when the incumbent becomes “stuck†in the process. Emotion mediation and role adjustment appear to foster individual-level satisfaction with the succession process.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Bertschi-Michel & Nadine Kammerlander & Vanessa M. Strike, 2020. "Unearthing and Alleviating Emotions in Family Business Successions," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 44(1), pages 81-108, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:44:y:2020:i:1:p:81-108
    DOI: 10.1177/1042258719834016
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    Cited by:

    1. Bernhard, Fabian, 2024. "Pride in family businesses: Authenticity, hubris, and cultural insights," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    2. Sallay, Viola & Wieszt, Attila & Varga, Szabolcs & Martos, Tamás, 2024. "Balancing identity, construction, and rules: Family relationship negotiations during first-generation succession in family businesses," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    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. Deferne, Marie & Bertschi-Michel, Alexandra & de Groote, Julia, 2023. "The role of trust in family business stakeholder relationships: A systematic literature review," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 14(1).
    5. Stewart, Alex, 2020. "Family control, ambivalence, and preferential benefits," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 11(4).
    6. 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.
    7. James J. Chrisman & Kristen Madison & Taewoo Kim, 2021. "A Dynamic Framework of Noneconomic Goals and Inter-Family Agency Complexities in Multi-Family Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(4), pages 906-930, July.
    8. Tommaso Minola & Nadine Kammerlander & Franz W. Kellermanns & Frank Hoy, 2021. "Corporate Entrepreneurship and Family Business: Learning Across Domains," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(1), pages 1-26, January.

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