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Dark side of the family business: an exploratory perspective

Oscar Javier Montiel Mendez (Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico)
Argentina Soto Maciel (Facultad de Economía y Negocios, Universidad Anáhuac México, Naucalpan de Juárez, Mexico)

Journal of Family Business Management

ISSN: 2043-6238

Article publication date: 30 September 2020

Issue publication date: 21 October 2021

568

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to relate the potential elements identified as the dark side of the family business (DSFB), where these elements can be productive or destructive. The “dark side” comprises an important contribution for entrepreneurship and family business (FB) studies, a novel perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The relevant literature on entrepreneurship and FB was selected and analyzed according to the “dark side” framework.

Findings

The results suggest that many perspectives remain for research, starting with a clarification and a more precise definition, not only of the construct itself but also of the factors or forces that drive this dark side, from the entrepreneur/founder, the FB itself and the context. This approach considers a systemic position in which the context plays a significant and decisive role.

Practical implications

The paper has implications for the development of public policies. Business incubation entities, federal, state and local entrepreneurship/small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) programs, educational institutions and entrepreneurial families and their founders can become more aware and establish courses of action.

Originality/value

This paper makes a call to propose an initial point for conceptualizing the logic behind the DSFB for obtaining a deeper understanding with regard to future research. Researchers are encouraged to test the conceptual model further.

Keywords

Citation

Montiel Mendez, O.J. and Soto Maciel, A. (2021), "Dark side of the family business: an exploratory perspective", Journal of Family Business Management, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 386-401. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFBM-07-2020-0065

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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