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The role of culture in family firms

Author

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  • Mario Daniele Amore

    (European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI), Center for Economic Policy Research (CEPR))

  • Danny Miller

    (HEC Montreal)

Abstract

Although family firms are ubiquitous, their prevalence displays major geographic disparities and their performance differs across regions. We review an extensive literature showing that formal institutional factors play a key role in explaining variations in the diffusion of family firms and their performance. We also review a more neglected but rapidly emerging stream of research focusing on culture as a source of these variations. By providing a framework for current theories, findings and methods, we demonstrate how cultural elements such as trust, religion, family values and collectivism provide useful answers to where and why family firms exist, and how well they perform.

Suggested Citation

  • Mario Daniele Amore & Danny Miller, 2025. "The role of culture in family firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 64(2), pages 261-278, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:64:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s11187-024-00926-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-024-00926-y
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Family firms; Culture; Trust; Social capital; Family ties; Religion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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