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The Influence of Large Stake Family Control on Performance: Is It Agency or Entrenchment?

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  • Sharon L. Oswald
  • Lori A. Muse
  • Matthew W. Rutherford

Abstract

Agency theory posits that the greater degree of control by those with decision‐making authority, the greater the overall organizational performance. Conversely, entrenchment theory implies that at extremely high levels of inside control by those with decision authority, organizational performance decreases. Using a nationwide sample of 2,631 privately held and publically traded family businesses, we examined if the relationship of percent family ownership is an agency or entrenchment relationship and found the latter. Specifically, there was a statistically significant negative relationship between percent of family control and sales growth as well as a strong inverse relationship between percent of family controlling the top management team and all measures of financial performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Sharon L. Oswald & Lori A. Muse & Matthew W. Rutherford, 2009. "The Influence of Large Stake Family Control on Performance: Is It Agency or Entrenchment?," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(1), pages 116-135, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ujbmxx:v:47:y:2009:i:1:p:116-135
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-627X.2008.00264.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Kosmidou, Vasiliki & Holt, Daniel T., 2022. "The relationship between family management and performance: A configurational approach in exploring the role of socioemotional wealth and generational stage," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 13(4).
    2. Luiz Antonio de Camargo Guerrazzi & Fernando Antonio Ribeiro Serra & Manuel Portugal Ferreira & Vanessa Vasconcelos Scazziota, 2022. "Using Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Modelling to Advance Entrepreneurship Research: A Study on the Liabilities of Newness and Smallness," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 31(3), pages 603-631, November.
    3. Wang, Zhonghui “Hugo” & Randolph, Robert & Su, Emma & Memili, Esra, 2023. "How does the founding family matter in corporate governance? A study of the entrenchment heterogeneity among S&P 1,500 firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    4. Muhammad Arsalan Hashmi & Abdullah & Rayenda Khresna Brahmana, 2022. "Family monitoring and the adverse consequences of political connections: does it vary over family generations?," Management Research Review, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 46(6), pages 832-851, September.
    5. Ada Domanska & Robert Zajkowski, 2022. "Barriers to gaining support: a prospect of entrepreneurial activity of family and non-family firms in Poland," Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 17(1), pages 191-224, March.

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