Publication
How socioemotional wealth transfer is experienced in family firm succession and which mechanisms ensure credible transfer
| Summary: | Succession in family firms requires more than simply transferring ownership. It hinges on credibly passing on socioemotional wealth (SEW), including passion, identity, and informal values. This thesis examines gaps between what families intend to transfer, what they actually do, and how the next generation (NextGen) perceives these actions. Based on paired interviews with senior (SG) and NextGen leaders, the study identifies concrete mechanisms and conditions that make SEW transfer effective. The resulting succession framework shows how family firms can preserve their identity while enabling renewal. Thus, positioning tradition not as a constraint but as a driver of innovation. |
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| Main Authors: | Hohlfeld, Lisa |
| Subject: | Socioemotional wealth Family business succession Transfer mechanisms Legitimacy and continuity Intended- enacted-perceived transfer |
| Year: | 2026 |
| Country: | Portugal |
| Document type: | master thesis |
| Access type: | embargoed access |
| Associated institution: | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| Language: | English |
| Origin: | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| Summary: | Succession in family firms requires more than simply transferring ownership. It hinges on credibly passing on socioemotional wealth (SEW), including passion, identity, and informal values. This thesis examines gaps between what families intend to transfer, what they actually do, and how the next generation (NextGen) perceives these actions. Based on paired interviews with senior (SG) and NextGen leaders, the study identifies concrete mechanisms and conditions that make SEW transfer effective. The resulting succession framework shows how family firms can preserve their identity while enabling renewal. Thus, positioning tradition not as a constraint but as a driver of innovation. |
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