Title: Family business trans-generational succession in extreme contexts: a socio-emotional wealth perspective

Authors: Grace Khoury; Niveen Eid; Elena Noor Khoury

Addresses: Birzeit University – Palestine, Birzeit, Palestine ' Birzeit University – Palestine, Birzeit, Palestine ' Birzeit University – Palestine, Birzeit, Palestine

Abstract: This paper contributes to the family business literature by exploring the link between trans-generational succession and socio emotional wealth (SEW) from an institutional perspective. It examines the neglected role of the macro environment in the formation of SEW. A single case study of a family firm is investigated. The firm has successfully experienced trans-generational succession in Palestine, an 'extreme context' that is underrepresented in the current literature. Findings are drawn based on the utilisation of an exploratory inductive research approach. Results reveal that having an 'opportunistic entrepreneurship' style is a driving force in exploiting the macro environmental challenges which exist where family firms operate. Along with adopting micro mechanisms at an organisational level, a collective nature of SEW characterised by strong family identification was formed. The paper concludes by presenting a fresh perspective of constructive trans-generational succession of family firms operating in volatile environments and exhibiting resilience to uncontrollable challenges.

Keywords: socio emotional wealth: trans-generational succession; family business; extreme context; Palestine.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2024.136345

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2024 Vol.51 No.3, pp.377 - 403

Received: 21 Oct 2020
Accepted: 05 May 2021
Published online: 31 Jan 2024 *

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