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Is Social Capital Perceived as a Source of Competitive Advantage or Disadvantage for Family Firms? An Exploratory Analysis of CEO Perceptions

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  • Alfredo De Massis
  • Josip Kotlar
  • Federico Frattini

Abstract

Although psychological perspectives suggest that executives’ perceptions do matter when it comes to predict the outcomes of strategic processes, little research has dealt with CEO perceptions in family firms. In this article we focus on the social capital resources of family firms and investigate which resources are perceived as competitive (dis)advantages and which factors affect the differences in perceptions among family firms’ CEOs. We rely on a multiple case study that involved seven family firms operating in the transportation industry. The case study analysis shows that a number of advantages and disadvantages are commonly perceived by family business CEOs in relation to both internal and external dimensions of social capital and that difference in perceptions exist related to the social influences produced by interactions between family and business.

Suggested Citation

  • Alfredo De Massis & Josip Kotlar & Federico Frattini, 2013. "Is Social Capital Perceived as a Source of Competitive Advantage or Disadvantage for Family Firms? An Exploratory Analysis of CEO Perceptions," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 22(1), pages 15-41, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jouent:v:22:y:2013:i:1:p:15-41
    DOI: 10.1177/0971355712469151
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. De Massis, Alfredo & Kotlar, Josip, 2014. "The case study method in family business research: Guidelines for qualitative scholarship," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 15-29.

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