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Structuring Family Business Succession: An Analysis of the Future Leader's Decision Making

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  • Dean A. Shepherd
  • Andrew Zacharakis

Abstract

This article examines the perception of potential family business leaders from a behavioral economics theory perspective. The findings suggest that high financial and behavioral sunk costs, as well as the requirement to ‘earn’ the right to lead the family business results in the future leader valuing the business more highly. Only financial sunk costs lowered the successor's proclivity to take risky action after acquiring the business. Therefore founders should structure succession so that the future leader incurs both financial and behavioral sunk costs as well as hold the future leader to stringent performance requirements prior to the succession.

Suggested Citation

  • Dean A. Shepherd & Andrew Zacharakis, 2000. "Structuring Family Business Succession: An Analysis of the Future Leader's Decision Making," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 24(4), pages 25-39, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:24:y:2000:i:4:p:25-39
    DOI: 10.1177/104225870002400402
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cheng-Wen Lee & Shu Hui Chen, 2022. "Contradictions between Founders and Successors in Taiwan’s Family Business Inheritance: A Qualitative Study," Advances in Management and Applied Economics, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 12(5), pages 1-5.
    2. Georgiou, Thoukis & Papasolomou, Ioanna & Vrontis, Demetris & Thrassou, Alkis, 2023. "Market-oriented succession effectiveness in family business – Case-based evidence from Cyprus family-owned wine business," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    3. Hossein Samei & Alireza Feyzbakhsh, 2016. "The Effect of Mentoring on Successor Nurturing in Family Businesses," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 25(2), pages 211-231, September.
    4. Eugene Kaciak & Izabela Koladkiewicz & Narongsak (Tek) Thongpapanl & Marta Wojtyra, 0. "The role of social networks in shaping entrepreneurial exit strategies," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-37.
    5. Eugene Kaciak & Izabela Koladkiewicz & Narongsak (Tek) Thongpapanl & Marta Wojtyra, 2021. "The role of social networks in shaping entrepreneurial exit strategies," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 1619-1655, December.
    6. Vincent Molly & Eddy Laveren & Ann Jorissen, 2012. "Intergenerational Differences in Family Firms: Impact on Capital Structure and Growth Behavior," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(4), pages 703-725, July.
    7. Peter Casson & Peter L Jennings & Clive Allen, 2003. "The Impact of Capital Taxation upon UK Unquoted Companies," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 21(4), pages 509-530, August.
    8. Pramodita Sharma & P. Gregory Irving, 2005. "Four Bases of Family Business Successor Commitment: Antecedents and Consequences," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 29(1), pages 13-33, January.

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