Title: An examination of firm size on intra-family business succession

Authors: Archie Lockamy III

Addresses: Brock School of Business, Samford University, Birmingham, AL, USA

Abstract: This study examines the effect of firm size on intra-family business succession. The study extends the work of Lockamy et al. (2016) which identified key determinants which inhibit intra-family business succession. Their study indicated that there are four key constructs comprised of 23 variables which have the most influence on deterring intra-family business successions. These variables were used to construct Bayesian networks to determine if firm size affects the probability that intra-family business succession does not occur within a firm. The study results indicate that there is a higher probability that intra-family business succession does not take place in a smaller firm, as measured by its number of employees. The results also suggest managerial actions that can be taken to improve the probability of intra-family business succession in smaller firms.

Keywords: family business; conflict avoidance; succession planning; business succession; firm size; Bayesian networks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFBRD.2020.111448

International Journal of Family Business and Regional Development, 2020 Vol.1 No.1, pp.46 - 61

Accepted: 16 Nov 2018
Published online: 27 Nov 2020 *