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The “open family firm”: openness as boundary work in family enterprises

Author

Listed:
  • Frank Lambrechts

    (Hasselt University)

  • Jolien Huybrechts

    (Maastricht University)

  • Alfredo Massis

    (Bozen University
    IMD Business School
    Lancaster University Management School
    Zhejiang University)

  • Erik E. Lehmann

    (University of Augsburg)

Abstract

“Openness” has become an established norm in the contemporary business environment. However, despite the crucial importance of boundaries and boundary work in organization and management theory, openness—as opening up boundaries of family firms and entrepreneurial families in collaborating with external actors—has received only nascent attention in the family business domain. We introduce the notion of openness in the family business field. Drawing on the organizational boundary and family business literatures, we develop a conceptual framework of family firm openness as boundary work and examine and discuss the drivers, mechanisms, and consequences of openness in family enterprises. Then, drawing on this framework, we set out an agenda for future research that will contribute to a better understanding of openness, boundaries, and boundary work in family firms and entrepreneurial families. We conclude by discussing some contemporary examples of research on the “open family firm.”

Suggested Citation

  • Frank Lambrechts & Jolien Huybrechts & Alfredo Massis & Erik E. Lehmann, 2023. "The “open family firm”: openness as boundary work in family enterprises," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(4), pages 1307-1322, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:60:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s11187-022-00664-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-022-00664-z
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Family business; Openness; Boundary work; Organizational boundaries; Social capital; Social networks; Open innovation; Ecosystems; Collaboration; Entrepreneurial family;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm

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