The strategic use of historical narratives in the family business

Abstract

Family business narratives connect the past, present, and future. This chapter offers an initial conceptualization of the parts of narratives dedicated to myths, through a systems view of the family business. Bridging literatures from different fields ranging from history to strategic management, family psychotherapy, and anthropology, we suggest a dynamic process of myth formation and transformation along with its impact on both family and business systems over the life cycle.