Title: Position of daughters in family businesses: the role of motivation

Authors: Anna Akhmedova; Rita Cavallotti

Addresses: IESE Business School, Universidad de Navarra, Av. de Pearson, 21. 08034 Barcelona, Spain ' Faculty of Humanities, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, C/Immaculada, 22, 08017 Barcelona, Spain

Abstract: This article addresses the underrepresentation of daughters in high-level management positions in a family business. The study takes a constructivist approach to explore the psychological link between daughters and family, illuminating the psychological processes behind a daughter's acquisition of a high position in the family firm. A multiple case study method is used to analyse the patterns of motivation of three groups of daughters in family businesses. Findings suggest that there are important differences in terms of extrinsic, intrinsic and ethical motivation among daughters that occupy different positions. These differences affect the way daughters interact with their business environment and how they justify themselves as leaders and viable successors. Thus, this research points to the specific motivational mechanisms that underlie career outcomes of daughters in family businesses. Furthermore, the research indicates motivational synergies between intrinsic and ethical motivation that are important in the family business context.

Keywords: position; succession; gender; motivation; leadership; strategy; ethical motivation; family business; daughters.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2021.115362

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2021 Vol.43 No.2, pp.287 - 310

Received: 29 Nov 2018
Accepted: 04 Jan 2019
Published online: 01 Jun 2021 *

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