Knowledge Internalization and Product Development in Family Firms: When Relational and Affective Factors Matter

Chirico, F. and Salvato, C. Knowledge Internalization and Product Development in Family Firms: When Relational and Affective Factors Matter, Entrepreneurship, Theory & Practice, Forthcoming

48 Pages Posted: 26 May 2014

See all articles by Francesco Chirico

Francesco Chirico

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

Carlo Salvato

Bocconi University - Department of Management and Technology

Date Written: May 25, 2014

Abstract

Understanding the forces that support and inhibit product development (PD) in family firms is central to explaining their long-term success and survival. Our study reveals that social capital and relational conflict among family members do not affect PD directly, as existing theory suggests, but only through the internalization of knowledge among family members. In contrast, family members’ affective commitment to the family firm is so powerful that it has both a mediated and a direct effect on PD. These results differ across generations of the controlling family, therefore offering an extension of existing theories of knowledge and PD in family firms.

Keywords: Relationships; Affective Commitment; Relationship Conflict; Knowledge Internalization; Product Development; Family Firms

Suggested Citation

Chirico, Francesco and Chirico, Francesco and Salvato, Carlo, Knowledge Internalization and Product Development in Family Firms: When Relational and Affective Factors Matter (May 25, 2014). Chirico, F. and Salvato, C. Knowledge Internalization and Product Development in Family Firms: When Relational and Affective Factors Matter, Entrepreneurship, Theory & Practice, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2441722

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

Carlo Salvato

Bocconi University - Department of Management and Technology ( email )

Via Roentgen 1
Milan, MI 20136
Italy