Une succession familiale, que d’émotions !

The emotional aspect is omnipresent in family businesses. It dictates the way they operate, as well as how they evolve over time. So how can emotions help us better understand the process of succession in family businesses? Academic research has thus far done little empirical examination of emotions in the context of succession, especially those experienced by incumbents when choosing their successor. By examining two cases of succession, this article aims to shed some light on the emotions felt by incumbents at the time of this important decision. I identify these emotions and show how they influence behavior and decisions. Lastly, I emphasize the importance of supporting family incumbents during succession to enable them to better manage their emotions, so that they do not become a barrier to action.