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Practice what you preach: Family faith integrity and family social capital in U.S. family firms

Author

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  • Kofford, Steven D.
  • Gibb Dyer, W.
  • Sorenson, Ritch L.
  • Dyer, W. Justin
  • Milbrandt, Jackie M.

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of congruence between family faith beliefs and practices on family social capital in family firms. While prior work has generally argued that family faith has a positive effect on family social capital, we argue that this effect is contingent on congruence between family faith beliefs and practices—i.e., “family faith integrity.” Using survey-based data from a large sample of private U.S.-based family firms, we find support for our arguments. When family faith integrity is high, there is a positive relationship between family faith and family social capital. However, when family faith integrity is low—i.e., family faith beliefs are strong, but family faith practices are weak, or vice versa—family social capital is undermined. Thus, we find that family faith has a positive effect on family social capital only when owning families have family faith integrity—that is, when they “practice what they preach.”

Suggested Citation

  • Kofford, Steven D. & Gibb Dyer, W. & Sorenson, Ritch L. & Dyer, W. Justin & Milbrandt, Jackie M., 2025. "Practice what you preach: Family faith integrity and family social capital in U.S. family firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:200:y:2025:i:c:s0148296325004126
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115589
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