Understanding organisational metaphors to make sense of values and of obligation

Abstract

The paper focuses on organisational culture and values in small family businesses during intergenerational succession. Specifically, it analyses what metaphors characterise the organisational culture of the family firms and what values draw from this culture are taken forward during intergenerational succession. Following a multiple case study approach, the paper investigates a set of southern Italian family firms and the respective actors' understanding and interpretations of metaphors and values at the time of intergenerational succession. Findings highlight actors' predisposition to feel a strong sense of obligation shaping organisational life and suggest that processes of intergenerational succession might follow patterns situated within the boundaries of traditionally defined visions of family and society.