Women In Family Businesses Research Articles

Women in family business research—What we know and what we should know?

Gender in management is a widely studied topic. Since business families are social units and gender-based discrimination is entrenched in the social system, family firms are more likely to be susceptible to gender issues. Therefore, gender in family business offers a unique disposition for systematic exploration and scholarly inquiry. Using bibliometric analysis tools, we map a broader canvas of literature on women in family businesses, incorporating the literature from other disciplines, such as sociology and social psychology, that address the fundamental issues affecting the involvement of women in the family business. We uncover the state of research on women in family businesses, try and understand the drivers influencing their involvement in the family business, how family business behaviours and outcomes are influenced by the family women discharging different roles and responsibilities in business, and draw up a comprehensive framework that scholars can use to find the gaps in the literature.

Women in Latin American family businesses: an institutional logics perspective

PurposeThe authors conceptually theorize the obstacles and opportunities that women encounter in family businesses embedded in Latin America, by differentiating between two clusters of countries embedded in this continent.Design/methodology/approachUsing secondary data obtained from various sources, the authors adopted a flexible pattern matching methodology, which involves linking theoretical propositions with actual observed patterns. For each proposition, the authors categorize the comparison with the observed data as either confirming or rivaling the expected patterns in the clusters.FindingsThis study’s findings reveal that women have more leadership and employment opportunities in the first cluster (Brazil, Chile, and Mexico) than in the second (Argentina, Colombia, and Peru). The authors propose that these differences are the result of higher tolerance for women in political leadership positions and of the presence of larger and more internationally expanding corporations in the first cluster. We also find differences between two groups of women: female family members and female nonfamily members, with the former being granted much more opportunities than the latter.Practical implicationsThis research increases the understanding of potential avenues for managers and policymakers in Latin America to foster gender diversity as a means to remain competitive in a global market. While actions at the state level may be more long-term oriented, others, such as those taken by small and medium-sized family businesses may have more immediate effects in minimizing gender biases and encouraging a greater participation of females in business.Originality/valueBy differentiating between two clusters of countries in Latin America, and by making careful consideration of whether females have family ties, the authors provide a more realistic and contextualized theoretical map that depicts the situation of women in Latin American family businesses. This contextualization is one of the first that attempts to examine how multiple institutional logics impact women in family businesses in an underexplored region of the world while differentiating between female family members and female nonfamily members. These findings inform policymakers and family business owners in Latin America on the peculiar challenges that women encounter in their context, while calling for more measures promote the active presence of females in Latin American family businesses.

Women’s entrepreneurial stewardship: The contribution of women to family business continuity in rural areas of Honduras

This paper examines the role of women in family business. Prior studies suggest that in Latin America the contribution of women in family business remains largely hidden, often relegated to a supportive role. Drawing on an entrepreneurial stewardship perspective, this study challenges that perception, paying close attention to the contribution of women to family business continuity. This study relies on a multiple case study design, and uses a critical approach to examine family businesses in rural areas of Honduras. We find that gendered norms are fluid, as women’s roles are multi-faceted being simultaneously influenced by household and family business logics. Thus, the contribution of women emerges specifically in terms of embracing a stewarding role, nurturing resilience, and shaping family and business networks. What our findings point to is that the contribution of women to the continuity of family businesses in Latin America, previously perceived as invisible and/or disguised, is enacted through a formal and visible managerial role, as well as an informal and discreet stewarding role. Implications for theory and practice, as well as opportunities for future research, are offered.

Accidental opportunities? Women in family businesses taking the lead in a new market economy

Social workers have been working to empower women of diverse backgrounds across several practice settings. However, for women entrepreneurs in Ghana generally and those in family businesses specifically, some socio-cultural factors have persisted to hinder their abilities to promote and sustain their businesses. This paper describes the ways in which women in family businesses in Accra, Ghana have identified and leveraged opportunities presented by structural, cultural, socio-economic, and technological changes to ensure the success of their businesses. The study employed a qualitative research approach with purposive and snowball sampling used to identify and interview 15 women in family businesses. Findings indicate that women in family businesses in Accra, Ghana have creatively made use of the changing socio-cultural and economic landscape of the country to promote their businesses through three main trends which are significant in business growth: the advent and increasing use of social media, innovative business practices, and weakening patriarchy. We recommend that social workers apprise themselves of contexts which have unequal consequences for women and mobilize around these changes to help women entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the opportunities that are being offered in Ghana’s emerging economy.

Owner-manager when death do us part – roles of a widow in sudden succession in family firms

PurposeThis study sheds light on a hitherto understudied group in family business literature: widows. We explore the roles a widow may take following the unexpected death of her owner-manager spouse when she had no salient role in the business prior to the death.Design/methodology/approachWe used a qualitative approach to research, to study inductively the roles considered and taken by three widows who unexpectedly succeeded as owners of Swedish privately held family firms. We conducted semi-structured interviews with widows and children in top management.FindingsWe construct a typology of four main roles a widow can take and analyse the underlying dimensions that they represent. We also analyse to which extent the choice of role widow can be explained by psychological ownership and double-loss theory. The typology can be used as a tool for family business owners and their advisors as the basis of an open and non-prejudiced discussion of the choices available to a widow.Originality/valueWe have investigated the factors that influence a widow's decision whether to take over the business or not, as suggested in previous research by, for example, Martinez et al. (2009). We explore the roles a widow can consider and adopt. The study advances our understanding of how businesses can remain as family firms also in the event of the unexpected death of an owner-manager (De Massis et al., 2008). We hereby contribute to the literature on sudden successions and on women in family businesses.

Women in family businesses: utilising assistance for success

As women in family firms experience challenges in leadership, we explore how sources of assistance and networking have been valuable to their success. Using a case study approach, we interviewed respondents from 18 US family firms in diverse industries. Respondents explained the importance of receiving assistance and guidance from both internal and external sources. We identified important types of needed information and external assistance sources. We generated four propositions from our study and noted the positive effect of close family ties and the negative effects of gender bias and family conflict.

Women in family businesses: utilising assistance for success

As women in family firms experience challenges in leadership, we explore how sources of assistance and networking have been valuable to their success. Using a case study approach, we interviewed respondents from 18 US family firms in diverse industries. Respondents explained the importance of receiving assistance and guidance from both internal and external sources. We identified important types of needed information and external assistance sources. We generated four propositions from our study and noted the positive effect of close family ties and the negative effects of gender bias and family conflict.

Negotiating the female successor–leader role within family business succession in China

This article explores the approaches of identity construction used by Chinese daughters while negotiating the successor–leader role within family businesses. A qualitative interpretivist approach was adopted to understand daughter views on gender, family business leadership and succession, as well as the approaches adopted to negotiate the role of female successor/leader in the Chinese family business. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with both actual and potential female successors. Three approaches of identity construction emerged based on the degree of conformity to traditional gender roles and Confucian family values: first, to abide by conventional gender expectations and perceive themselves as a temporary leader; second, to act as the ‘second leader’ and remain involved in decision making and third, to challenge conventional gender roles and strive to be an independent leader. This article contributes to debates on women in family business and gendered identity construction of daughters in family business in the Chinese context.

Becoming a Successor and Leader: Daughters’ Identity Construction within Family Business Succession

This paper explores how daughters comply with and/or resist familial expectations and social gender norms, while negotiating the successor-leader role within family businesses in China. In order to achieve this, a qualitative interpretivist approach was adopted to understand daughters’ views on issues relating to gender, family business leadership and succession, as well as the strategies adopted in order to negotiate the role of female successor/leader in the Chinese family business. In so doing, twenty face-to-face semi- structured interviews were conducted with both actual and potential female successors. Three strategies of identity construction emerged based on the degree of conformity to traditional Chinese gender roles and Confucian family values. First - to abide by conventional gender expectations and perceive themselves as a temporary leader. Second - to act as the “second leader” and remain involved in decision-making. Third - to challenge conventional gender roles and strive to be an independent leader. This paper contributes to debates on women in family business and daughters’ gendered identity construction in family businesses in an Asian context.

Becoming the Boss: Advice for Women in Family Businesses

Becoming the Boss: Advice for Women in Family Businesses

Emerging Trends and Challenges of Women in Family Businesses: Millennials, Hispanics, and Siblings

Although efforts have been directed towards understanding the nature and capability of women in family businesses, several areas need further discussion. The growth of women, including Millennials ...

Women in Latin American Family Businesses: An Institutional Logics Perspective

Much of prior research on women in family businesses has been conducted in developed economies where progress has been made in terms of promoting gender equality. However, several institutional logics in developing countries and, particularly, in Latin America may create different obstacles, missed opportunities, and opportunities for women in family businesses. Building on the institutional logics framework and exploring secondary data, we offer a novel conceptualization of women in family businesses that takes into consideration the peculiarities of the Latin American institutional setting. We find that while some logics are common to all Latin American countries, others are country-specific and, therefore, can affect women differently. Furthermore, this study addresses a major gap by highlighting significant differences between the treatment of women with family ties as compared to women with no family ties, with the former being provided better employment opportunities than the latter. Theoretical and...

Women’s involvement in family firms: Progress and challenges for future research

This article reviews research on women’s involvement in family firms according to a drivers-behaviors-outcomes framework. Through a systematic review, we analyze and organize the content of 87 academic articles according to the type of involvement of women in family business, i.e. entrepreneurial entry, succession, career dynamics, and presence in family firms. We identify the drivers and outcomes of women’s involvement in family firms at the firm, family, and individual level of analysis, as well as the contextual factors that may influence the aforementioned elements. Drawing on these findings, we identify relevant research gaps, propose a number of future research directions aimed at bridging these gaps, and suggest unexplored research avenues.

Reproducing Elite Lives: Women in Aggarwal Family Businesses

This article explores the social reproductive roles performed by elite “upper”-caste Aggarwal women in family businesses in Delhi. With the substantialization of caste, there is an increase in heterogeneities within caste groups. By focussing on women’s associational and familial roles in a South Delhi neighborhood three strategies of reproduction are discussed: first, forging inter-strata fictive kinship ties for caste cohesion through women’s “social work”; second, forging intra-strata fictive kinship ties for business opportunities through sustained interactions; and third, steering the individuating aspirations of children around marital choices for the unity of the joint family and business. These strategies of elite reproduction highlight the secularizing pulls on gender and caste in urban contexts, despite the dependence of family businesses on caste and family ties. Furthermore, by focusing on women in family businesses, this article shows that while they are not passive victims of caste patriarchy neither are they invisible in the male-centric family businesses.

Women in family business: With reference to Pollachi Taluk, Tamilnadu

Women in family business: With reference to <i>Pollachi Taluk</i>, Tamilnadu

Assessing the contribution of the ‘theory of matriarchy’ to the entrepreneurship and family business literatures

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the contribution of “Matriarchy” to the entrepreneurship and family business literature. The literature on gendered aspects of entrepreneurship is expanding and maturing in its level of theoretical sophistication and subject coverage. At the same time, our nuanced understanding of how gender influences entrepreneurial action also expands, as does our appreciation of how men and women do entrepreneurship. It is widely acknowledged that although the theories of entrepreneurship and small business are cognate literature, entrepreneurship has primacy. The heroic male entrepreneur is the master narrative against which we measure other forms of entrepreneurship. The role played by wives, partners, family and employees is often left unstated. In our eternal quest to theorise and explain entrepreneurial action in its entirety, we seldom consider the explanatory power of the sociological theory of “Matriarchy”. Consequentially, in this theoretical paper, we present and discuss several important aspects of the theory which are applicable to our understanding of the diverse nature of gendered enactment within entrepreneurship and small business in which entrepreneurship provides the action to be measured and small business, the setting in which it is encountered. The work primarily concentrates on the theoretical aspects of Matriarchy as well as building upon the extant literature of entrepreneurship, gender and small and family business. Design/methodology/approach – The literature on Matriarchy is presented and analysed in conjunction with appropriate texts from the above literature. The readings help construct a theoretical framework which is tested against narratives of Matriarchial figures encountered via research and written up using retrospective ethnography. This unusual qualitative methodology allows the author to test and develop the utility of the theoretical framework. The resultant narratives and vignettes are both illuminating and enlightening. Findings – The stories of the Matriarchs illustrate how gender differences impact upon entrepreneurial identities and the everyday practicalities of doing business. While the male head of the family may be the titular business owner, many privately defer to the Matriarchal voice which acts as a positive driving force in business, binding a family together. Research limitations/implications – The theory of Matriarchy offers another powerful explanatory variable in how gendered relationships influence entrepreneurial identities and in making the theory the focal point, we can avoid some of the common assumptions we make when we concentrate on entrepreneurship as the key variable. In perpetuating heroic entrepreneurial narrative as success stories, we as the ultimate consumers of such socially constructed fiction are also complicit. This article, therefore, has the potential to influence how we as authors of such narratives narrate stories of women in family business. Originality/value – The paper challenges the universality of traditional renditions of family businesses as entrepreneur stories. It re-examines and challenges accepted wisdom building up a discussion, which confronts accepted theories of entrepreneurship and family business.

Women in Family Enterprises in Estonia

This article objective is to give an overview of the women in family enterprises on the basis of theoretical sources and approaches. In order to achieve this goal, an overview of the research findings have been provided, which have analyzed a woman's role in the family business. Family firms and family entrepreneurs have been defined differently by different authors, but what all definitions have in common is the family is involvement in business activities. A family entrepreneur can be both an individual whose entrepreneurial activities involve family members and a company, which was founded by family members. In family enterprises, the members have trust towards each other and they communicate frequently, which will help them to achieve a common goal. The studies reflect predominantly men as family entrepreneurs in whose business activity the family members, including wife and children participate. The European Union has not yet provided a coherent definition of the family business, while increasing the role of women in family businesses in ensuring gender equality and giving importance to the role of the woman as the family entrepreneur.

Family businesses and the gender of entrepreneurship

Economy, business, and entrepreneurship are related to the world of men. Home, nurturing, and the family belong to women's world, so the story goes. On the other hand, family entrepreneurship and its outcome, the family business, is probably the most traditional way of conducting business, being thus a universal phenomenon. However, in comparison to other economic and entrepreneurial activities, the field of family entrepreneurship has been only recently addressed by economists, researchers, and academicians. Family entrepreneurship as a field of inquiry is suffering the consequences of conceptual dualisms rendering ‘family’ and ‘business’, ‘kinship’ and ‘economy,’ ‘private,’ and ‘public’ as distinct social and economic spheres. To that extent, the topic lies at the ‘gray zones’ of scholarly inquiry, resisting clear-cut definitions and approaches. In this paper, based on the findings of the two case-studies addressing the issues of succession, participation, and exclusion of women in family businesses, we will explore how the concept of ‘gender’ informs representations and practices, which reflect social attitudes - or the construction thereof - towards the ‘division of labor’ between men and women in the world of entrepreneurship. Drawing conclusions from the analysis, we will finally stress that core notions in both academic and laymen discourse provide a fertile ground on which the cultural category of gender can be utilized in helping to consider family entrepreneurship as a good place to start with, bringing about cultural change by reckoning contesting social categories based on gender as not of a contradictory, but of a complementary nature.

Women in Turkish family businesses: Drivers, contributions and challenges

The number and importance of women in family businesses have increased in the recent years. This is reflected in the growing academic and practitioner interest in the topic. In this paper, we have explored the role of women in family business in the context of Turkey by examining the key drivers for their active involvement, their contribution and the challenges they face. The conceptual framework of the article presents key drivers and challenges identified in the extant literature and introduces additional angles on the problematisation of the topic, mainly issues of succession, conflict and balance of work-life relationships. Drawing on empirical material collected through semi-structured interviews with participant Turkish women, we have highlighted importance of cultural dynamics in analysing drivers, contributions and challenges.

Family business women in media discourse: the business role and the mother role

PurposeWritings in the media have the potential to influence our standpoint and, thereby, our actions. In this paper, the authors analyze how women in family business are represented in media to understand the frames set by this discourse in terms of women owning and leading family businesses. The aim of the paper is to explore how the counterposed roles of business person and mother are presented in media and what implications this might have for role enactment.Design/methodology/approachThe paper opted for an exploratory study of 308 articles about women in family business over a 15‐year period. In the interpretative, qualitative analysis of media texts, the discursive construction of the mother role and the business role are explored.FindingsThe paper provides empirical insights into how the mother role is taken for granted while the business role is approached as problematic in portrayals of women in family business. The authors discuss whether the media discourse reinforces traditional roles or stimulates role innovation.Practical implicationsUnderstanding role as something separate from the individual provides a means to critically review expectations of women in business and how these expectations hinder business activities.Originality/valueThe study examines data over a 15‐year period in the Swedish media setting and describes changes in attitudes about women's roles in family business. Regarding the family business as an arena for performative acts provides a perspective that can highlight the intertwinement of the private and professional arenas in family business.