Clearing the Hurdles for Succession. Female Successors in Family Businesses

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1. Problem Definition and Research Question

1.2. Aims and Structure

1.3. Methodology

1.3.1. Research Method

1.3.2. Data Collection Method

1.4. Definitions

1.4.1. Family Business

1.4.2. Succession

2. Literature Review

2.1. Succession in Family Businesses

2.1.1. The Stages of Succession

2.1.2. The Predecessor and Successor

2.2. Women in Family Businesses

2.2.1. The Role of Women

2.2.2. Women as Successors

3. Empirical Approach

3.1. Data Collection

3.2. Sampling

3.3. Access to the Field

3.4. Data Gathering

3.5. Willingness to Participate

3.6. Analysis Procedure

4. Results

4.1. Emotional Connection between the Family and the Business

4.2. Succession as a Long-Term Process

4.3. Transferring Control and Power to the Next Generation

4.4. Personal Challenges

4.5. Successors Need to Find Their Way

4.6. Empathy and Communication

4.7. External Consultants and Workshops

5. Discussion

5.1. Unplanned Succession versus Planned Succession

5.2. Biases towards Female Successors

6. Conclusion

7. Critical Reflection and Future Outlook

Research Objectives and Core Themes

This master thesis aims to provide a comprehensive guide for potential female successors in family businesses by identifying the factors that influence their succession journey. By examining both planned and unplanned succession scenarios, the research explores how female successors can navigate personal, family, and business-related challenges to achieve a successful leadership transition within the German-speaking area.

• The impact of family emotional bonds on business decision-making.
• Identifying gender-specific biases and challenges for women in leadership.
• Comparison of planned versus unplanned succession pathways.
• Strategies for professional development, including the role of external consulting.
• The importance of communication and empathy as leadership attributes.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: This chapter defines the research problem, establishing the importance of family businesses and the specific challenges female successors face in the succession process.

2. Literature Review: This section examines existing research on family business succession and the specific role of women, highlighting the research gap concerning female-led transitions.

3. Empirical Approach: This chapter outlines the qualitative research methodology, including the use of narrative interviews with six female successors and the circular deconstruction analysis procedure.

4. Results: This chapter presents the key findings from the interviews, covering topics such as emotional family bonds, the long-term nature of succession, and personal challenges.

5. Discussion: This section synthesizes the empirical findings, comparing unplanned and planned succession models and evaluating the presence of gender biases in family businesses.

6. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the main findings, suggesting that preparation, timing, and self-awareness are critical factors for successful female succession.

7. Critical Reflection and Future Outlook: This final section reflects on the study's limitations and provides suggestions for further research, such as including the predecessor's perspective.

Keywords

succession, family business, female successors, qualitative research, narrative interviews, leadership, gender bias, management, family bonds, planning, succession process, role adjustment, professional development, daughters, SME

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this master thesis?

The thesis focuses on the succession process for women in family businesses, aiming to identify key influencing factors that help them manage this complex transition effectively.

What are the core research themes explored?

Core themes include the emotional connection between family and business, the difference between planned and unplanned succession, strategies for overcoming gender-related hurdles, and the role of professional preparation.

What is the central research question?

The research asks: What factors influence the succession of potential female successors in a family business?

Which scientific method was applied in this study?

The study utilizes a qualitative research approach, specifically conducting narrative interviews with six female successors, which were then analyzed using the "circular deconstruction" method.

What does the main part of the thesis cover?

The main part covers a comprehensive literature review on family business succession and the role of women, followed by an empirical analysis of findings from interviews with female successors.

How can one define the most important keywords of this work?

The most important keywords characterizing this work include "succession," "family business," "female successors," "leadership," and "planning," as these highlight the central subjects of the investigation.

How does the role of the "invisible woman" impact succession?

The study notes that women in family businesses often face invisibility, where their professional contributions are overlooked or undervalued compared to their male counterparts, which complicates their path to becoming acknowledged successors.

Why is "letting go" by the predecessor emphasized as a significant challenge?

The research highlights that the predecessor’s ability to "let go" of control is crucial for the successor to fully assume the leadership role and implement their own vision, which is often difficult due to the emotional ties founders have with the business.