Computer-aided text analysis in family business research: guidelines and considerations

Computer-aided text analysis (CATA) has been used effectively, but somewhat sparingly, in previous family business research. We offer guidelines for adapting constructs used in other fields to develop research questions of interest to family business scholars. Using the construct of humility and leveraging annual shareholder letters of family firms in the S&P 500, we provide suggestions for choosing appropriate narratives, measuring constructs to ensure validity and reliability, and creating research designs. We also identify future opportunities for the use of CATA in family business research. By outlining common approaches leveraging CATA in family business research in conjunction with insights from other fields, we hope to provide a helpful guide that encourages both novice and experienced scholars to generate new insights using this technique. We conclude with suggestions for reviewers and editors when encountering family business research using CATA.