The enterpriseness of business families: Conceptualization, scale development and validation

Hermann Frank, Alexander Keßler, Susanne Beck, Julia Suess-Reyes, Elena Fuetsch

    Publication: Scientific journalJournal articlepeer-review

    Abstract

    This article addresses the business family, which so far has received only limited scholarly attention. The business family as the group of family members regularly discussing and deciding business matters is key for the functioning
    of both the business and the family. Specifically, we propose and empirically test the concept of the enterpriseness of business families, which is the ability to handle the potentially contradictory expectations of the family and business systems. We empirically validate the enterpriseness scale using a sample of 451 business families. Results indicate high levels of validity and reliability. The two subscales decision-making ability (six items) and business family identity (four items) offer a methodically rigorous, theoretically sound, and parsimonious
    measure. The article presents opportunities for potential applications of the enterpriseness concept and scale for family business as well as business family research and practice.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number100522
    JournalJournal of Family Business Strategy
    Volume14
    Issue number2
    Early online date2022
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2023

    Keywords

    • Enterpriseness; Business family; Family sociology; Scale development; Decision-making ability; Business family identity; Family success; Family governance

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