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Post-Succession Innovation in Family Businesses: Exploring the Tension Between Incumbent Imprinting and Successor Self-Determination

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study advances the understanding of innovation across generations in family businesses by revealing how imprinting and self-determination shape innovation trajectories following succession. Through a case study of 16 Dutch family Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the food industry, we identified four innovation trajectories—Inherited, Ancillary, Synergistic, and Detached Innovation. We disentangle the effect of structural imprinting and behavioral imprinting on the successor and examine how successor self-determination mediates imprinting forces. We rebalance the emphasis on incumbent-centric family business studies and explain the heterogeneity of post-succession innovation outcomes. These insights offer new theoretical tools for understanding and managing innovation during critical transition periods.

Source: Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice

DOI: 10.1177/10422587251382824

Authors: Ludovica Del Barone, Maria Carmela Annosi, Evelyn Micelotta, Filomena Buonocore

Institutions: University of Salento, Wageningen University & Research, University of Vermont, Parthenope University of Naples

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: $3,900

OpenAlex ID: W4415144104

FWCI: 3.847

Cites: 97

Cited by: 3

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