Conflicts in Family Firms in the International Context: A Literature Review

Abstract

Objective: This paper reviews the major family business research papers that address factors related to relationship and work-to-family conflicts. Methodology: The procedure this paper applies follows recommendations for literature reviews by Fink (2010) consisting of: (1) selecting a research question (2) selecting bibliographic or article databases, (3) choosing search terms, (4) applying practical screening criteria, (5) applying methodical screening criteria, (6) doing the review and (7) synthesizing the results. Findings: The article summarizes that, although family business research is progressing in terms of theory building, it continues to lack a systematic adoption of longitudinal, cross-national and multi-theoretical approaches. To date, research on conflict in family firms remains underdeveloped in the CEE. Value Added: Outlining the state of the art of theoretical and empirical studies by applying a resource-based view. Recommendations : Application of control variables, such as size of the business, business life cycles, generational status, type of industry and various cultural settings. Furthermore, the role of communication, sibling rivalry and perceived justice of family members could be investigated more thoroughly.