Becoming The Boss: Discretion And Postsuccession Success In Family Firms

J. R. Mitchell; Timothy A. Hart; Sorin Valcea; David M. Townsend

doi:10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00341.x

Becoming The Boss: Discretion And Postsuccession Success In Family Firms

J. R. Mitchell
, Timothy A. Hart
, Sorin Valcea
, David M. Townsend

Western University
Oklahoma State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Family firms can enjoy substantial longevity. Ironically, however, they are often imperiled by the very process that is essential to this longevity. Using the concept of managerial discretion as a starting point, we use a human agency lens to introduce the construct of successor discretion as a factor that affects the family business succession process. While important in general, successor discretion is positioned as a particularly relevant factor for productively managing organizational renewal in family businesses. This study represents a foundation for future empirical research investigating the role of agency in entrepreneurial action in the family business context, which consequently can contribute to the larger research literature on succession and change.

Original language	American English
Journal	Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice
Volume	33
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00341.x
State	Published - Nov 1 2009

Keywords

small businesses; family firms; succession

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Access to Document

10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00341.xLicense: CC BY

Becoming The Boss Discretion And Postsuccession Success In FamilFinal published version, 3.47 MBLicense: CC BY

Cite this

@article{c404af507c6547febdda41ad7231fd04,

title = "Becoming The Boss: Discretion And Postsuccession Success In Family Firms",

abstract = " Family firms can enjoy substantial longevity. Ironically, however, they are often imperiled by the very process that is essential to this longevity. Using the concept of managerial discretion as a starting point, we use a human agency lens to introduce the construct of successor discretion as a factor that affects the family business succession process. While important in general, successor discretion is positioned as a particularly relevant factor for productively managing organizational renewal in family businesses. This study represents a foundation for future empirical research investigating the role of agency in entrepreneurial action in the family business context, which consequently can contribute to the larger research literature on succession and change.",

keywords = "small businesses; family firms; succession",

author = "Mitchell, \{J. R.\} and Hart, \{Timothy A.\} and Sorin Valcea and Townsend, \{David M.\}",

note = "Mitchell, J.R., Hart, T.A., Valcea, S., \& Townsend, D.M. (2009). Becoming the boss: Discretion and postsuccesson success in family firms. Entrepreneuership Theory and Practice, 33(6), 1201-1218. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00341.x",

year = "2009",

month = nov,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00341.x",

language = "American English",

volume = "33",

journal = "Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Becoming The Boss: Discretion And Postsuccession Success In Family Firms

AU - Mitchell, J. R.

AU - Hart, Timothy A.

AU - Valcea, Sorin

AU - Townsend, David M.

N1 - Mitchell, J.R., Hart, T.A., Valcea, S., & Townsend, D.M. (2009). Becoming the boss: Discretion and postsuccesson success in family firms. Entrepreneuership Theory and Practice, 33(6), 1201-1218. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00341.x

PY - 2009/11/1

Y1 - 2009/11/1

N2 - Family firms can enjoy substantial longevity. Ironically, however, they are often imperiled by the very process that is essential to this longevity. Using the concept of managerial discretion as a starting point, we use a human agency lens to introduce the construct of successor discretion as a factor that affects the family business succession process. While important in general, successor discretion is positioned as a particularly relevant factor for productively managing organizational renewal in family businesses. This study represents a foundation for future empirical research investigating the role of agency in entrepreneurial action in the family business context, which consequently can contribute to the larger research literature on succession and change.

AB - Family firms can enjoy substantial longevity. Ironically, however, they are often imperiled by the very process that is essential to this longevity. Using the concept of managerial discretion as a starting point, we use a human agency lens to introduce the construct of successor discretion as a factor that affects the family business succession process. While important in general, successor discretion is positioned as a particularly relevant factor for productively managing organizational renewal in family businesses. This study represents a foundation for future empirical research investigating the role of agency in entrepreneurial action in the family business context, which consequently can contribute to the larger research literature on succession and change.

KW - small businesses; family firms; succession

UR - https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/bus_facpub/190

U2 - 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00341.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00341.x

M3 - Article

VL - 33

JO - Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice

JF - Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice

ER -

Becoming The Boss: Discretion And Postsuccession Success In Family Firms

Abstract

Keywords

Disciplines

Access to Document

Other files and links

Cite this