Behavioral Outcomes of Next Generation Family Members’ Commitment to Their Firm

European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology (Forthcoming)

35 Pages Posted: 25 Apr 2013

See all articles by Alexandra Dawson

Alexandra Dawson

Concordia University, Quebec - John Molson School of Business

P. Gregory Irving

Wilfrid Laurier University - School of Business & Economics

Pramodita Sharma

Wilfrid Laurier University; University of Vermont - School of Business Administration

Francesco Chirico

Jonkoping University - Jonkoping International Business School (JIBS); Macquarie University, Macquarie Business School

Joel Marcus

Wilfrid Laurier University; York University - Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Date Written: April 23, 2013

Abstract

Are there variations in behaviors and leadership styles of next generation family members or descendants who join their family business due to different forms of commitment? Evidence from a dual respondent study of 109 Canadian and Swiss family firms suggests that descendants with affective commitment to their family firms are more likely to engage in discretionary activities going beyond the job description, thereby contributing to organizational performance. Next generation members with normative commitment are more likely to engage in transformational leadership behaviors. Both affectively and normatively motivated next generation members use contingent reward forms of leadership. A surprising finding of this study is the binding force of normative commitment on positive leadership behaviors of next generation members. This study empirically tests the generalizability of the three-component model of commitment to family businesses, a context in which different forms of commitment may play a unique role.

Keywords: family business, next generation, commitment, leadership, transformational leadership, transactional leadership

Suggested Citation

Dawson, Alexandra and Irving, P. Gregory and Sharma, Pramodita and Chirico, Francesco and Chirico, Francesco and Marcus, Joel, Behavioral Outcomes of Next Generation Family Members’ Commitment to Their Firm (April 23, 2013). European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology (Forthcoming), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2255471

Alexandra Dawson

Concordia University, Quebec - John Molson School of Business ( email )

1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W.
Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8
Canada

P. Gregory Irving

Wilfrid Laurier University - School of Business & Economics ( email )

Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5
Canada
519-884-0710 x.3707 (Phone)
519-884-0201 (Fax)

Pramodita Sharma

Wilfrid Laurier University ( email )

75 University Ave W
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5
Canada

University of Vermont - School of Business Administration ( email )

Burlington, VT 05405
United States

Francesco Chirico (Contact Author)

Jonkoping University - Jonkoping International Business School (JIBS) ( email )

Jönköping, 55111
Sweden

Macquarie University, Macquarie Business School ( email )

New South Wales 2109
Australia

Joel Marcus

Wilfrid Laurier University ( email )

Waterloo, 6900
Canada

York University - Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies ( email )

Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3
Canada

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