Title: The succession scorecard, a tool to assist family business's trans-generational continuity

Authors: Ilse Matser, Jozef Lievens

Addresses: Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 10090, 8000 GB, Zwolle, the Netherlands; Centrum van het Familiebedrijf, P.O.Box 405, 3500 AK, Utrecht, the Netherlands. ' Instituut voor het Familiebedrijf President Kennedypark 37, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium; Hogeschool Universiteit Brussel, Stormstraat 2, 1000 Brussel, Belgium

Abstract: The succession phase a crucial moment in the life cycle of any firm. An unsuccessful succession can have a detrimental effect on the performance and continuity of a firm. Given the number of family firms in existence the topic of succession with regard to family firms deserves attention on a macro-economic level. This paper discusses the attempts the European Commission has taken from 1994 up until now to improve the preconditions for business transfer in the EU member states. In addition this paper introduces the succession scorecard as a promising tool to help overcome some of the challenges left. The content, approach and added value of the scorecard are discussed and empirical findings stemming from the use of the scorecard are analysed. A recommendation is made to introduce the succession scorecard in more EU member states.

Keywords: business succession; scorecards; trans-generational continuity; life cycles; family firms; families; company performance; macro-economics; European Commission; EU; European Union; member states; preconditions; business transfers; Flanders; Belgium; Wallonia; Netherlands; Holland; family businesses; entrepreneurial venturing; business ventures; entrepreneurs; entrepreneurship; entrepreneurialism.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEV.2011.039336

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 2011 Vol.3 No.2, pp.101 - 124

Published online: 22 Oct 2014 *

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