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Family involvement and R&D expenses in the context of weak property rights protection: an examination of non-state-owned listed companies in China

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  • Alfredo De Massis
  • Shujun Ding
  • Josip Kotlar
  • Zhenyu Wu

Abstract

The impact of family involvement on firm behaviour is an issue of global interest, yet paradoxically few studies examine the behaviour of family firms in the unique socio-political environment of China. We investigate the cross-institutional generalizability of the behavioural agency model, emphasizing the non-economic goals of controlling families as a driver of unique yet predictable behaviours in Chinese family firms and examine the relationship between family involvement and the R&D expenses reported by these firms. We propose that in a context of weak property rights protection such as China’s, the opportunity for family owners to attain transgenerational control is subject to the additional risk of state predation. We consequently expect economic goals to prevail over family-centred non-economic goals in Chinese family firms and hypothesize that their reported R&D expenses increase with family involvement due to severe Type II agency problems. Moreover, we examine the effect of positive and negative performance feedback on this relationship. Longitudinal data from non-state-owned listed companies in China provide overall support for these contentions. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Alfredo De Massis & Shujun Ding & Josip Kotlar & Zhenyu Wu, 2018. "Family involvement and R&D expenses in the context of weak property rights protection: an examination of non-state-owned listed companies in China," The European Journal of Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(16), pages 1506-1527, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:eurjfi:v:24:y:2018:i:16:p:1506-1527
    DOI: 10.1080/1351847X.2016.1200994
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    Cited by:

    1. Todor S. Lohwasser & Felix Hoch & Franz W. Kellermanns, 2022. "Strength in Stability: A Meta-Analysis of Family Firm Performance Moderated by Institutional Stability and Regime Type," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 46(1), pages 117-158, January.
    2. Baoyin Qiu & Bo Cheng & Hangeng Qiu & Kam C. Chan, 2022. "Do firms with foreign residency rights controlling shareholders reduce R&D investment?," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(5), pages 1403-1422, July.
    3. Katrin Hussinger & Wunnam Issah, 2023. "Early Patent Disclosure and R&D Investment in Family Firms," DEM Discussion Paper Series 23-17, Department of Economics at the University of Luxembourg.
    4. Hussingera, Katrin & Issahd, Wunnam, 2022. "Trade secret protection and R&D investment of family firms," ZEW Discussion Papers 22-039, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    5. Eng, Li Li & Fang, Hanqing & Tian, Xi & Yu, T. Robert, 2021. "Path dependence and resource availability: Process of innovation activities in Chinese family and non-family firms," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    6. Issah, Wunnam Basit & Anwar, Muhammad & Clauss, Thomas & Kraus, Sascha, 2023. "Managerial capabilities and strategic renewal in family firms in crisis situations: The moderating role of the founding generation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    7. Hanqing “Chevy” Fang & Kulraj Singh & Taewoo Kim & Laura Marler & James J. Chrisman, 2022. "Family business research in Asia: review and future directions," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 39(4), pages 1215-1256, December.
    8. Katrin Hussinger & Wunnam Basit Issah, 2022. "Trade Secret Protection and R&D Investment of Family Firms," DEM Discussion Paper Series 22-11, Department of Economics at the University of Luxembourg.
    9. Shah, Muhammad Hashim & Xiao, Zuoping & Abdullah,, 2023. "Internal pyramid structure, judicial efficiency, firm-level governance and dividend policy," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 764-785.
    10. Shah, Muhammad Hashim & Xiao, Zuoping & Abdullah, & Quresh, Shakir & Ahmad, Mushtaq, 2020. "Internal pyramid structure, contract enforcement, minority investor protection, and firms’ performance: Evidence from emerging economies," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    11. Joern Block & Christopher Hansen & Holger Steinmetz, 2023. "Are Family Firms Doing More Innovation Output With Less Innovation Input? A Replication and Extension," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(4), pages 1496-1520, July.
    12. Du, Shanzhong & Ma, Lianfu & Li, Zhuo, 2022. "Non-family shareholder governance and corporate risk-taking: Evidence from Chinese family-controlled businesses," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 156-170.
    13. Dou, Junsheng & Wu, Saisai & Fang, Hanqing, 2022. "Family involvement, family essence, and family-centered non-economic and economic goals in Chinese family firms: A replication study," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 13(4).

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