Abstract
This paper explores the link between export activity and product innovation in family firms. Following the learning-by-exporting (LBE) hypothesis and considering that family firms are not homogeneous entities, we examine differences among family firms with regard to the influence of export activity on product innovation, based on the degree of family involvement in management and on the generational stage. Based on a sample of 7742 observations corresponding to over 770 family firms operating in 20 different manufacturing industries in the period 2007–2016, empirical findings point to significant differences between family firms in terms of converting the benefits of exporting into product innovation. A greater level of family involvement in management fosters the LBE effect on product innovation through an inverted U-shaped pattern, which reaches a peak when there are 2.45 family members involved in managing the company. Contrary to expectations, results also show a positive influence of first-generation family firms on the LBE effect on product innovation.
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