Entrepreneurial activities of Benedictine monasteries - a special form of family business? Online publication date: Mon, 13-Feb-2017
by Ksenia Keplinger; Birgit Feldbauer-Durstmüller; Simon Sandberger; Maximilian Neulinger
International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing (IJEV), Vol. 8, No. 4, 2016
Abstract: This paper develops a robust theoretical framework for studying leadership in a monastic context. We conceptualise a monk's accountability as an ongoing activity influenced by the interactions between the abbot as an evaluating audience and the elements of the responsibility triangle. Additionally, we conduct a comparative analysis of the entrepreneurial activities of Benedictine monasteries and family business activities and thus demonstrate that the former can be considered as a special form of family business. Finally, we discuss the relevance of monastic leadership to family business and make suggestions on how to implement the key aspects. For instance, family businesses could learn from the Benedictines how new employees can be integrated into a family business and how the shared values can be internalised. The adoption of participative decision-making and the proactive approach of the Benedictines to succession planning are further implications of monastic leadership to family business.
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