Thesis

Through the eyes of the successor : an exploration of succession and growth in family business

Creator
Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2010
Thesis identifier
  • T13286
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • This research project investigates the factors that control succession and growth in the family firm with a view to identifying unique resources of the family firm and common barriers to growth. Two case studies within the interpretivist paradigm in the form of a mini ethnography are undertaken. This multi case approach will be exploratory in nature, seeking to match features of chronology, patterns, and logic and reasoning. The study finds that growth and succession are controlled by issues of trust, time and identity that relate to the sense of familiness in the business. These elements represent core resources of the family that, despite limiting growth to the size of the family itself, create an effective organisational culture that experiences sustained success across generations. This research is limited to two particular families in Scotland working in the hospitality industry; further research is required to develop the findings across different ethnic, regional and industry groupings; however its findings will be of interest to any family run businesses. Businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry will need to be aware of this research in order to support and understand their growth as the majority of commercial provision is from privately owned and often family run SMEs. This is the first in-depth study undertaken into second and third generation succession and future growth in family businesses in the hospitality industry. It also studies the attitudes of potential successors rather than the outgoing owners thus offering a new perspective on the succession process and on the nature of family firm growth.
Resource Type
DOI
Date Created
  • 2010
Former identifier
  • 948385

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