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The concept of "Familiness": Literature review and systems theory-based reflections

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  • Frank, Hermann
  • Lueger, Manfred
  • Nosé, Lavinia
  • Suchy, Daniela

Abstract

Familiness is one of the central concepts of family business research. Nevertheless there has been little research explicitly dedicated to familiness. The literature analyzed reveals four research strands that all have very different approaches. Based on systems theory, which interprets social systems (such as families or enterprises) as autopoietically closed meaning systems, consisting of communication and decisions, familiness is discussed. Familiness is the specific result of the structural coupling of family and enterprise, which can bring forth a particular identity as a family business that has grown historically and incorporates different content relations such as particular abilities to innovate. Familiness shows both manifest and latent characteristics and thus requires specific methods of diagnosis. Objective hermeneutics fulfils these requirements. A case-based research strategy seems to be a suitable approach for developing typologies of familiness.

Suggested Citation

  • Frank, Hermann & Lueger, Manfred & Nosé, Lavinia & Suchy, Daniela, 2010. "The concept of "Familiness": Literature review and systems theory-based reflections," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 1(3), pages 119-130, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:fambus:v:1:y:2010:i:3:p:119-130
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    7. Steve Kyungjae Lee, 2023. "Does “familiness” enhance or reduce firms’ willingness to engage in partnership with rivals? Empirical evidence from South Korean savings banks," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(1), pages 217-245, February.
    8. Duréndez, Antonio & Madrid-Guijarro, Antonia, 2018. "The impact of family influence on financial reporting quality in small and medium family firms," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 9(3), pages 205-218.
    9. Suess, Julia, 2014. "Family governance – Literature review and the development of a conceptual model," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(2), pages 138-155.
    10. Röd, Irina, 2016. "Disentangling the family firm’s innovation process: A systematic review," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 7(3), pages 185-201.
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    12. Dawson, Alexandra & Mussolino, Donata, 2014. "Exploring what makes family firms different: Discrete or overlapping constructs in the literature?," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(2), pages 169-183.
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    14. Mohnen, Alwine & Mückenhausen, Verena & Toporova, Nevena & Kern, Maximilian, 2021. "Personalmanagement in Familienunternehmen: Recruiting, Arbeitsbedingungen, Weiterbildung," Studien, Stiftung Familienunternehmen / Foundation for Family Businesses, number 250040, June.
    15. Basco, Rodrigo & Calabrò, Andrea & Campopiano, Giovanna, 2019. "Transgenerational entrepreneurship around the world: Implications for family business research and practice," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 10(4).
    16. María José CHARLO & Miriam NÚÑEZ & Mercedes SÁNCHEZ-APELLÁNIZ, 2016. "Delimitation, Description And Success Factors Of Family Businesses In Spain. A European Comparison," Applied Econometrics and International Development, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 16(2), pages 33-54.
    17. Basco, Rodrigo & Pérez Rodríguez, María José, 2011. "Ideal types of family business management: Horizontal fit between family and business decisions and the relationship with family business performance," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 2(3), pages 151-165.
    18. Heiko Kleve & Tobias Köllner & Arist von Schlippe & Tom A. Rüsen, 2020. "The business family 3.0: Dynastic business families as families, organizations and networks—Outline of a theory extension," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(3), pages 516-526, May.

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