14717: A Systematic Literature Review on Family Business Capabilities (session 26125)

While the literature on capabilities is well-established in management studies, there is a lack of a systematic understanding within the family business context. This is particularly surprising, given that family firms are often recognized for their ability to develop distinctive capabilities. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive examination of capabilities in family firms, with a specific focus on their drivers and the resulting outcomes. Drawing on the theoretical foundations of the resource-based view and dynamic capability theories, the authors conduct a systematic literature review of relevant theoretical and empirical studies spanning over 20 years, including 76 journal articles. The study proposes a framework that organizes the literature, outlining the main drivers (e.g., family influence and other factors), types of capabilities (i.e., ordinary and dynamic), and their related outcomes (i.e., competitive, financial, and non-financial). The literature review emphasizes the critical role of family influence—in terms of family business status and family involvement— in driving the development of capabilities. It also highlights the importance of family behavioral dynamics, including the concepts of familiness and socioemotional wealth. Additionally, the study identifies gaps in the existing literature and proposes research questions to guide future research.

view paper (if available)