This paper investigates the role of social ties and family embeddedness for corporate entrepreneurship in family firms. Family firms are mostly characterized by close and often inseparable ties between the dominant family coalition and the firm and offer specific resources within a context of both rational as well as non-rational factors that influence entrepreneurial strategies. We empirically test (n = 181) the relationship between binding social ties and innovation, strategic renewal, and corporate venturing. Our findings indicate a strong significance for networks and close and stable relationships both to inside the firm and the outside in decision making for corporate venturing and innovation. In contrast, the results for strategic renewal show no relevance of strong social ties. We link up with the debate on the role of owners as an important stakeholder group.

本文研究了社会联系和家族嵌入在家族企业中企业创业中的作用。家族企业的主要特征是，主要的家族联盟与企业之间有着紧密且通常不可分割的联系，并在影响企业家战略的理性和非理性因素的背景下提供特定的资源。我们凭经验测试（ñ = 181）具有约束力的社会纽带与创新，战略更新和企业风险投资之间的关系。我们的发现表明，在企业冒险和创新的决策过程中，对于网络以及与公司内部和外部的紧密而稳定的关系都具有重要意义。相比之下，战略更新的结果与建立牢固的社会纽带无关。我们将有关所有者作为重要利益相关者群体的角色的辩论与辩论联系起来。