Title: Basics factors of success in family-owned businesses from second to third generation

Authors: Amel Dakoumi Hamrouni; Karima Mnasser

Addresses: Higher Institute of Management, University of Sousse, Tunisia, Rue Abdelaziz El Bahi 4000 Sousse, Tunisia. ' Higher Institute of Management, University of Sousse, Tunisia, Rue Abdelaziz El Bahi 4000 Sousse, Tunisia

Abstract: Much research has focused on either the study of the succession process and the dynamics involved in the transfer of management and ownership or on the identification of those factors which can guarantee the continuing success of the business. However, little research has been conducted in order to identify the factors that determine the successful continuation of FOBs when they pass from the second to the third generation. Using life stories, this research shows that the factors determining the success of the business are succession planning, preparation of successors, legitimacy of the successor and the relationship between predecessor and successor.

Keywords: family-owned businesses; succession processes; succession planning; successful handovers; life stories; Tunisia; second generation; third generation; management transfer; ownership transfer; continuing success; factor identification; successful continuation; successor preparation; successors; successor legitimacy; relationships; predecessors; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; entrepreneurs; entrepreneurship; family issues; families; gender issues.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2013.050752

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2013 Vol.18 No.1, pp.57 - 78

Published online: 30 Sep 2013 *

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