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Sustainability in family business – A bibliometric study and a research agenda

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  • Ferreira, João J.
  • Fernandes, Cristina I.
  • Schiavone, Francesco
  • Mahto, Raj V.

Abstract

Sustainability is a relevant and established topic in the family business literature. However, family business scholars lack a comprehensive understanding about the different streams of research and the potential new areas for exploration on this topic. This limitation is a significant hinderance to the advancement of both theory and practice in the area. In this study, we provide an overview of the past, present, and future of research in the field of sustainability in family business. We use a systematic review of the literature by combining different bibliometric techniques. In the process, we provide a mapping of various themes alluding to sustainability in family businesses for a better understanding of the growth of the literature related to the topic, as well as its evolution. Our findings indicate that the extant literature on this topic falls into four different clusters: family business capital, family business strategy, family business social responsibility, and family business succession. We provide a research agenda for future studies after examining each research cluster.

Suggested Citation

  • Ferreira, João J. & Fernandes, Cristina I. & Schiavone, Francesco & Mahto, Raj V., 2021. "Sustainability in family business – A bibliometric study and a research agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:173:y:2021:i:c:s0040162521005096
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121077
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