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03-01-2022

Improving continuity by simplifying the structure of family firms: a replication study

Authors: Angela Dettori, Michela Floris

Published in: Management Review Quarterly | Issue 2/2023

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Abstract

This study replicates a research undertaken in 2008 by Lambrecht and Lievens, Pruning the Family Tree: An Unexplored Path to Family Business Continuity and Family Harmony. Adopting an extended replication approach, this work analyzes a sample of family firms in Sardinia to investigate how and why family businesses prune the family tree to safeguard family harmony and business continuity. Our findings confirm that pruning is an effective strategy for managing complexity, increasing firm performance, and supporting succession plans. We extend the original study by stressing the relevance of pruning during succession.

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The Sardinian saying “centu concas, centu berrittas,” translates to “one hundred heads, one hundred hairs.” It is one of the most common proverbs in Sardinia and can be interpreted as being either negative or positive. It can mean that Sardinians are not united, or it can mean that every Sardinian has the ability to think independently, without restrictions.

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Title: Improving continuity by simplifying the structure of family firms: a replication study
Authors: Angela Dettori
Michela Floris
Publication date: 03-01-2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Management Review Quarterly / Issue 2/2023
Print ISSN: 2198-1620
Electronic ISSN: 2198-1639
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-021-00255-4

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