Human determinants influencing the digital transformation strategy of multigenerational family businesses: a multiple-case study of five French growth-oriented family firms
Journal of Family Business Management
ISSN: 2043-6238
Article publication date: 14 May 2021
Issue publication date: 1 December 2022
Abstract
Purpose
In a context of technological disruption, companies face a digital imperative to adopt successfully emerging new technologies. While family firms have a huge potential for growth and innovation, they may – due to idiosyncratic but often limited resources, have to address the complex challenges induced by digital technologies introduction. The purpose of this paper is to explore how human and cultural resources influence the formulation and implementation of five French family firms' digital strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a phenomenological epistemology, semi-structured interviews among different generational cohorts of family business owners.
Findings
The thematic analysis highlights five main cultural and psychological determinants holding the potential for positive and synergetic outcomes while implementing a digital strategy: the change management nurtured by long-term sustainability, the emotional attachment to the firm, the entrepreneurial legacy influence, the personalised involvement of individual family members and the family owners' central focus on employees.
Originality/value
This paper is one of the first research projects exploring the digital transformation process of family businesses from the perspective of the firm's human capital. The participants of the study reveal idiosyncratic attitudes such as long-term orientation, entrepreneurial bridging and non-economic goals leading to competitive advantages and transgenerational wealth creation.
Keywords
Citation
Ano, B. and Bent, R. (2022), "Human determinants influencing the digital transformation strategy of multigenerational family businesses: a multiple-case study of five French growth-oriented family firms", Journal of Family Business Management, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 876-891. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFBM-12-2020-0117
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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