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Demand for private equity minority investments: A study of large family firms

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  • Tappeiner, Florian
  • Howorth, Carole
  • Achleitner, Ann-Kristin
  • Schraml, Stephanie

Abstract

Private equity is invested mostly in established firms, of which family businesses are the dominant form. Under the pecking order hypothesis, private equity is a finance of last resort. Tests of the pecking order and its assumptions have provided conflicting results. For family firms, the pecking order hypothesis is incomplete because it ignores family effects. Case studies of 21 large family firms in Germany are analysed. Testable propositions are derived. Family firm owners balanced financial and non-financial resources of private equity with the need to cede control rights. Non-financial resources were valued more highly when resolving family issues. The observed pecking order was driven by control rights. Important implications for family firms and investors are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tappeiner, Florian & Howorth, Carole & Achleitner, Ann-Kristin & Schraml, Stephanie, 2012. "Demand for private equity minority investments: A study of large family firms," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 3(1), pages 38-51.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:fambus:v:3:y:2012:i:1:p:38-51
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfbs.2012.01.001
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    2. Vincent Molly & Lorraine M. Uhlaner & Alfredo De Massis & Eddy Laveren, 2019. "Family-centered goals, family board representation, and debt financing," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 53(1), pages 269-286, June.
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    4. Vincent Molly & Anneleen Michiels, 2022. "Dividend decisions in family businesses: A systematic review and research agenda," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(4), pages 992-1026, September.
    5. Fitó, M. Àngels & Moya, Soledad & Orgaz, Neus, 2013. "The debate on rented assets capitalization: The economic impact on family firms," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 4(4), pages 260-269.
    6. Ahlers, Oliver & Hack, Andreas & Kellermanns, Franz W., 2014. "“Stepping into the buyers’ shoes”: Looking at the value of family firms through the eyes of private equity investors," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(4), pages 384-396.
    7. Felix K. Thiele, 2017. "Family businesses and non-family equity: literature review and avenues for future research," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 67(1), pages 31-63, February.
    8. Ginesti, Gianluca & Ossorio, Mario & Dawson, Alexandra, 2023. "Family businesses and debt maturity structure: Focusing on family involvement in governance to explain heterogeneity," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 14(2).
    9. Schickinger, Antonia & Leitterstorf, Max P. & Kammerlander, Nadine, 2018. "Private equity and family firms: A systematic review and categorization of the field," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 9(4), pages 268-292.
    10. Olaf M. Rottke & Felix K. Thiele, 2018. "Do family investors differ from other investors? Similarity, experience, and professionalism in the light of family investee firm challenges," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 88(2), pages 139-166, February.
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