Work

Family Firms and Ethics: Towards a Deeper Understanding of the Determinants of Ethical Decision-Making and Emerging Future Research Pathways

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The goal of this study is to reveal which contextual factors can shape ethical behaviour and decision-making in family firms (FFs), with the aim to uncover emerging themes that help set the stage for future work on FF ethics. To do so, we conducted an integrative literature review. By systematically collecting, reviewing 90 studies and synthesizing their key findings with prior theoretical foundations in the FF field, we demonstrate how personal and family values, preservation of socioemotional wealth, generation succession and structural factors (e.g. FF size, FF life cycle) can affect ethical decision-making in FFs. We also provide propositions and research pathways to orient future studies.

Source: Journal of Business Ethics

DOI: 10.1007/s10551-025-05945-7

Authors: Minas N. Kastanakis, Solon Magrizos, Katerina Kampouri, Andrea Calabrò

Institutions: ESCP Business School, University of Birmingham, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, IPAG Business School

Language: English

Topic: Family Business Performance and Succession

Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,790

OpenAlex ID: W4407338091