IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/jouent/v34y2025i2p304-329.html

Family Slack: A Catalyst for Resilience and Digital Transformation in Family Businesses

Author

Listed:
  • Efthymios Timos Daskalopoulos
  • OndÅ™ej Machek

Abstract

We review and reconceptualise family slack resources, encompassing the excess of family unique resources, either absorbed or not allocated, as a fundamental driver of family business resilience. Drawing on the resource-based view and the concept of ‘familiness’, we develop theoretical arguments for the existence of family financial, human, social and cultural slack and establish a framework for understanding family firms’ unique position in this context. We extend the framework of family slack resources, presenting the case of leveraging untapped resources in the digital transformation process in a family business context. We link the subdimensions of family slack resources with specific digital transformation enablers and develop propositions highlighting family businesses’ unique position in this resource-intensive process.

Suggested Citation

  • Efthymios Timos Daskalopoulos & OndÅ™ej Machek, 2025. "Family Slack: A Catalyst for Resilience and Digital Transformation in Family Businesses," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 34(2), pages 304-329, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jouent:v:34:y:2025:i:2:p:304-329
    DOI: 10.1177/09713557251349963
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09713557251349963
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/09713557251349963?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Brundin, Ethel & Samuelsson, Emilia Florin & Melin, Leif, 2014. "Family ownership logic: Framing the core characteristics of family businesses," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(1), pages 6-37, January.
    2. Alfredo De massis & Josip Kotlar & Jess H. Chua & James J. Chrisman, 2014. "Ability and Willingness as Sufficiency Conditions for Family‐Oriented Particularistic Behavior: Implications for Theory and Empirical Studies," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(2), pages 344-364, April.
    3. Bennedsen, Morten & Fan, Joseph P.H. & Jian, Ming & Yeh, Yin-Hua, 2015. "The family business map: Framework, selective survey, and evidence from Chinese family firm succession," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 212-226.
    4. de Groote, Julia & Soluk, Jonas & Laue, Sarah-Larissa & Heck, Marius & Kammerlander, Nadine, 2023. "How can family-owned Mittelstand firms use their unique resources to master the digitalization age? The role of family historical, venture, and collaborative capital," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 133-152.
    5. Yuri Mishina & Timothy G. Pollock & Joseph F. Porac, 2004. "Are more resources always better for growth? Resource stickiness in market and product expansion," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(12), pages 1179-1197, December.
    6. Sami Basly & Amira Hammouda, 2020. "Family Businesses and Digital Entrepreneurship Adoption: A Conceptual Model," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 29(2), pages 326-364, September.
    7. Harvey Leibenstein, 1969. "Organizational or Frictional Equilibria, X-Efficiency, and the Rate of Innovation," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 83(4), pages 600-623.
    8. Hess, Thomas & Matt, Christian & Benlian, Alexander & Wiesböck, Florian, 2016. "Options for Formulating a Digital Transformation Strategy," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 81032, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    9. Youngjin Yoo & Richard J. Boland & Kalle Lyytinen & Ann Majchrzak, 2012. "Organizing for Innovation in the Digitized World," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(5), pages 1398-1408, October.
    10. André Hanelt & René Bohnsack & David Marz & Cláudia Antunes Marante, 2021. "A Systematic Review of the Literature on Digital Transformation: Insights and Implications for Strategy and Organizational Change," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(5), pages 1159-1197, July.
    11. Satish Nambisan, 2017. "Digital Entrepreneurship: Toward a Digital Technology Perspective of Entrepreneurship," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 41(6), pages 1029-1055, November.
    12. Chrisman, James J. & Chua, Jess H. & Litz, Reginald, 2003. "A unified systems perspective of family firm performance: an extension and integration," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 18(4), pages 467-472, July.
    13. Hasirumane Venkatesh Mukesh, 2022. "Digital Transformation Taking Centre Stage: How Is Digital Transformation Reshaping Entrepreneurial Innovation?," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 31(2), pages 364-401, July.
    14. Justin B. Craig & Clay Dibrell & Peter S. Davis, 2008. "Leveraging Family‐Based Brand Identity to Enhance Firm Competitiveness and Performance in Family Businesses," Journal of Small Business Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(3), pages 351-371, July.
    15. Birger Wernerfelt, 1984. "A resource‐based view of the firm," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(2), pages 171-180, April.
    16. David G. Sirmon & Michael A. Hitt, 2003. "Managing Resources: Linking Unique Resources, Management, and Wealth Creation in Family Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 27(4), pages 339-358, October.
    17. Elisa Conz & Giovanna Magnani & Antonella Zucchella & Alfredo Massis, 2023. "Responding to unexpected crises: The roles of slack resources and entrepreneurial attitude to build resilience," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 61(3), pages 957-981, October.
    18. Sami Basly & Amira Hammouda, 2020. "Family Businesses and Digital Entrepreneurship Adoption: A Conceptual Model," Post-Print hal-03258927, HAL.
    19. Jean‐Luc Arregle & Michael A. Hitt & David G. Sirmon & Philippe Very, 2007. "The Development of Organizational Social Capital: Attributes of Family Firms," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(1), pages 73-95, January.
    20. Yasemin Y. Kor & Joseph T. Mahoney & Enno Siemsen & Danchi Tan, 2016. "Penrose's The Theory of the Growth of the Firm: An Exemplar of Engaged Scholarship," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 25(10), pages 1727-1744, October.
    21. Jonas Soluk, 2022. "Organisations’ Resources and External Shocks: Exploring Digital Innovation in Family Firms," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(6), pages 792-824, July.
    22. Zahra, Shaker A. & Neubaum, Donald O. & Larraneta, Barbara, 2007. "Knowledge sharing and technological capabilities: The moderating role of family involvement," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 60(10), pages 1070-1079, October.
    23. Jane Glover, 2010. "Capital Usage in Adverse Situations: Applying Bourdieu’s Theory of Capital to Family Farm Businesses," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 31(4), pages 485-497, December.
    24. Patricio Duran & Nadine Kammerlander & Marc van Essen & Thomas Zellweger, 2016. "Doing More with Less : Innovation Input and Output in Family Firms," Post-Print hal-02312103, HAL.
    25. Daniel, Francis & Lohrke, Franz T. & Fornaciari, Charles J. & Turner, R. Jr., 2004. "Slack resources and firm performance: a meta-analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 57(6), pages 565-574, June.
    26. Jonas Soluk & Nadine Kammerlander, 2021. "Digital transformation in family-owned Mittelstand firms: A dynamic capabilities perspective," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(6), pages 676-711, November.
    27. Tom Vanacker & Veroniek Collewaert & Shaker A. Zahra, 2017. "Slack resources, firm performance, and the institutional context: Evidence from privately held European firms," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(6), pages 1305-1326, June.
    28. Jean-Luc Arrègle & Michael Hitt & David Sirmon & Philippe Véry, 2007. "The Development of Organizational Social Capital : Attributes of Family Firms," Post-Print hal-02312687, HAL.
    29. Ishaq Ahmad Dar & Mridula Mishra, 2020. "Dimensional Impact of Social Capital on Financial Performance of SMEs," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 29(1), pages 38-52, March.
    30. Yilmazer, Tansel & Schrank, Holly, 2006. "Financial intermingling in small family businesses," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 21(5), pages 726-751, September.
    31. Imen Mzid & Nada Khachlouf & Richard Soparnot, 2019. "How does family capital influence the resilience of family firms?," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 249-277, June.
    32. Machek, Ondřej, 2017. "Employee Compensation and Job Security in Family Firms: Evidence from the Czech Republic," Journal of East European Management Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 22(3), pages 362-373.
    33. Patricio Duran & Nadine Kammerlander & Marc van Essen & Thomas Zellweger, 2016. "Doing More with Less : Innovation Input and Output in Family Firms," Post-Print hal-02276703, HAL.
    34. Giovanna Campopiano & Alfredo Massis & Josip Kotlar, 2019. "Environmental Jolts, Family-Centered Non-economic Goals, and Innovation: A Framework of Family Firm Resilience," Springer Books, in: Esra Memili & Clay Dibrell (ed.), The Palgrave Handbook of Heterogeneity among Family Firms, chapter 28, pages 773-789, Springer.
    35. Shikha Bhardwaj & Sumedha Chauhan & Parul Gupta, 2023. "CEO Succession in Family Firm: An Integrated Framework and Future Research Insights," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 32(3), pages 667-699, November.
    36. Martina Sageder & Christine Mitter & Birgit Feldbauer‐Durstmüller, 2018. "Image and reputation of family firms: a systematic literature review of the state of research," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 335-377, January.
    37. Hess, Thomas & Matt, Christian & Benlian, Alexander & Wiesböck, Florian, 2016. "Options for Formulating a Digital Transformation Strategy," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 82423, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    38. Habbershon, Timothy G. & Williams, Mary & MacMillan, Ian C., 2003. "A unified systems perspective of family firm performance," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 18(4), pages 451-465, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sanchez-Famoso, Valeriano & Pittino, Daniel & Chirico, Francesco & Maseda, Amaia & Iturralde, Txomin, 2019. "Social capital and innovation in family firms: The moderating roles of family control and generational involvement," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 35(3).
    2. Yadan Liu & Shaowei Zhang & Fengwen Chen & Yikang Mu, 2025. "Clan culture and digital transformation: Evidence from Chinese family firms," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 65(1), pages 971-1008, March.
    3. Maseda, Amaia & Iturralde, Txomin & Arzubiaga, Unai, 2025. "Unpacking the role of entrepreneurial orientation in the digital transformation of family SMEs: The importance of leadership structure and generational involvement," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    4. Fernando Muñoz-Bullón & Maria J. Sanchez-Bueno & Alfredo De Massis, 2020. "Combining Internal and External R&D: The Effects on Innovation Performance in Family and Nonfamily Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 44(5), pages 996-1031, September.
    5. Sami Basly & Amira Hammouda, 2020. "Family Businesses and Digital Entrepreneurship Adoption: A Conceptual Model," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 29(2), pages 326-364, September.
    6. Zybura, Jan & Zybura, Nora & Ahrens, Jan-Philipp & Woywode, Michael, 2021. "Innovation in the post-succession phase of family firms: Family CEO successors and leadership constellations as resources," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 12(2).
    7. Rajan, Bharath & Salunkhe, Uday & Kumar, V., 2023. "Understanding customer engagement in family firms: A conceptual framework," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    8. Ismael Barros-Contreras & Héctor Pérez-Fernández & Natalia Martín-Cruz & Juan Hernangómez B., 2023. "Can we make family social capital flourish? The moderating role of generational involvement," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 44(3), pages 655-673, September.
    9. Laura Zapata-Cantu & Ramón Sanguino & Ascensión Barroso & Laura Nicola-Gavrilă, 2023. "Family Business Adapting a New Digital-Based Economy: Opportunities and Challenges for Future Research," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(1), pages 408-425, March.
    10. Paolo Capolupo & Lorenzo Ardito & Antonio Messeni Petruzzelli & Nadine Kammerlander & Alfredo De Massis, 2025. "Digital Product Innovation Within Family Firms: A Construal Level Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 49(2), pages 539-570, March.
    11. María del Pilar Casado-Belmonte & María de las Mercedes Capobianco-Uriarte & Rubén Martínez-Alonso & María J. Martínez-Romero, 2021. "Delineating the Path of Family Firm Innovation: Mapping the Scientific Structure," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(8), pages 2455-2499, November.
    12. Patel, Pankaj C. & De Massis, Alfredo, 2025. "Trademark intensity and firm performance in family versus non-family firms: The role of organizational and knowledge capital," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    13. Tommaso Pucci & Mara Brumana & Tommaso Minola & Lorenzo Zanni, 2020. "Social capital and innovation in a life science cluster: the role of proximity and family involvement," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 205-227, February.
    14. James J. Chrisman & Jess H. Chua & Franz Kellermanns, 2009. "Priorities, Resource Stocks, and Performance in Family and Nonfamily Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 33(3), pages 739-760, May.
    15. Gema García-Piqueres & Ana-M. Serrano-Bedia & Marta Pérez-Pérez, 2019. "Knowledge Management Practices and Innovation Outcomes: The Moderating Role of Risk-Taking and Proactiveness," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-22, September.
    16. Soluk, Jonas & Decker-Lange, Carolin & Hack, Andreas, 2023. "Small steps for the big hit: A dynamic capabilities perspective on business networks and non-disruptive digital technologies in SMEs," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    17. Chirico, Francesco & Ireland, R. Duane & Pittino, Daniel & Sanchez-Famoso, Valeriano, 2025. "Resource orchestration, socioemotional wealth, and radical innovation in family firms: Do multifamily ownership and generational involvement matter?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(1).
    18. Yenira Tlacuilo-Parra & María Concepción López-Fernández & Remedios Hernández-Linares & Gema García-Piqueres, 2025. "How Public Support for Innovation Affect Entrepreneurial Orientation of Mexican Companies: The Moderating Effect of Being a Family Business," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(1), pages 759-787, March.
    19. Sherlock, Chelsea & Dibrell, Clay & Memili, Esra, 2023. "The impact of family commitment on firm innovativeness: The mediating role of resource stocks," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 14(3).
    20. Julia K. de Groote & Werner Conrad & Andreas Hack, 2021. "How can family businesses survive disruptive industry changes? Insights from the traditional mail order industry," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(8), pages 2239-2273, November.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:jouent:v:34:y:2025:i:2:p:304-329. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.ediindia.org/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.