[Translate to Englisch:] Familienunternehmen

 

Compensation in Family Businesses

In several model-theoretic and empirical studies, we have investigated the pay of (non-family) managers in family firms as well as of assisting family members.

  • Jaskiewicz, P., Block, J., Combs, J., Miller, D. (2017). The effects of founder and family ownership on hired CEOs' incentives and firm performance. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 41(1): 73-103.
    (article)

  • Jaskiewicz, P., Block, J. Combs, J., Miller, D. (2017). Founder versus family owners' impact on non-CEO top manager pay dispersion: Implications for firm performance. Journal of Management, 43(5): 1524-1552.
    (article)

  • Block, J., Millan, J., Roman, C., Zhou, H. (2015). Job satisfaction and wages of family employees. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 39(2): 183-207.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Block, J. (2011). How to pay a non-family manager in a family business – a multi-task principal-agent model. Family Business Review, 24(1): 9-27.
    (article, working paper version)

Family business as an employer

Family businesses differ from other businesses in the way they treat their employees. In order to grow as a business, they are also dependent on non-family employees. In the following studies, we examine how family businesses deal with their employees and which groups of people would like to work for a family business.

  • Block, J., Fisch, C., Lau, J., Obschonka, M., Presse, A. (2019). How do labor market institutions influence the preference to work in family firms? A multilevel analysis across 40 countries. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 43(6), 1067-1093.
    (article - open access)

  • Block, J., Fisch, C., Lau, J., Obschonka, M., Presse, A. (2016). Who prefers working in a family firm? An exploratory study of individuals' organizational preferences across 40 countries. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 7(2): 65-74.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Block, J. (2010). Family management, family ownership, and downsizing: evidence from S&P 500 firms. Family Business Review, 23(2): 1-22.
    (article, working paper version)

Family businesses and their (significance for) regions

Family businesses are often closely intertwined with the regions in which they are located. Within the framework of several empirical studies, we investigate the importance of family businesses for their respective regions and how a high number of family businesses affects regional innovation activity.  

  • Baù, M., Block, J., Discua Cruz, A., Naldi, L. (2021). Bridging locality and internationalization – A research agenda on the sustainable development of family firms. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development. 33(7-8): 477-492.
    (article - open access)

  • Block, J. (2015). Unternehmertum auf dem Land: Gründungen, Hidden Champions und Familienunternehmen. In: H. Arend, G. Troeger-Weiß (Hrsg.), Starke Wirtschaft - Starke Regionen. Gute Aussichten für das Land. Mainz: ZIRP, S. 49-52.

  • Stough, R., Welter, F., Block, J., Wennberg, K., Basco, R. (2015). Family business and regional science: "bridging the gap". Journal of Family Business Strategy, 6(4): 208-218.
    (article)

  • Block, J., Spiegel, F. (2013). Family firm density and regional innovation output: an exploratory analysis. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 4(4): 270-280.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Spiegel, F., Block, J. (2013). Regionale Bedeutung von Familienunternehmen in Westdeutschland. Zeitschrift für KMU und Entrepreneurship, 61(1-2): 7-34.
    (article, lworking paper version)

Innovation in family businesses

Family businesses differ from non-family businesses in terms of innovation. In the following empirical studies, we examine patent management, innovation expenditures as well as the innovation success of family businesses in comparison to founding businesses and non-family businesses.

  • Block, J., Hansen, C., Steinmetz, H. (in press). Are family firms doing more innovation output with less innovation input? A replication and extension. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Jell, F., Block, J., Henkel, J., Spiegel, F., Zischka, H. (2015). Cross-functional patent management in family firms. Journal of Business Economics (former Zeitschrift für Betriebswirtschaft), 85(2): 181-203.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Block, J., Spiegel, F. (2013). Family firm density and regional innovation output: an exploratory analysis. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 4(4): 270-280.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Block, J., Miller, D., Jaskiewicz, P., Spiegel, F. (2013). Economic and technological importance of innovations in large family and founder firms: an analysis of patent data. Family Business Review, 26(2): 180-199.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Block, J. (2012). R&D investments in family and founder firms: an agencyperspective.Journal of Business Venturing, 27(2): 248-265.
    (article, working paper version)

Cooperation of family members in family businesses

In many (mostly smaller) family businesses, family members work in the company. In two empirical studies, we examined the remuneration and satisfaction as well as the absenteeism of family members working in the company.

  • Block, J., Millan, J., Roman, C., Zhou, H. (2015). Job satisfaction and wages of family employees. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 39(2): 183-207.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Block, J., Goerke, L., Millan, J., Roman, C. (2014). Family employees and absenteeism. Economics Letters, 123(1): 94-99.
    (article, working paper version)

Succession (in family businesses)

Succession is a major challenge for many family and start-up businesses. In an empirical study, we have investigated the preference of entrepreneurs to found a new company or to take over an existing one. Furthermore, in our research on foundation companies, we deal with the establishment of a foundation for the purpose of business succession.

  • Moritz, A., Graffius, M., Felden, B., Block, J. H. (in press). Unternehmenskäufe und -verkäufe im Rahmen der Nachfolge von KMU in Deutschland – Eine empirische Untersuchung. Betriebswirtschaftliche Forschung und Praxis.

  • Xi, G., Block, J., Lasch, F., Robert, F., Thurik, R. (2020). The survival of business takeovers and new venture start-ups. Industrial and Corporate Change. 29(3): 797-826.
    (article - open access)

  • Xi, G., Block, J., Lasch, F. Robert, F., Thurik, R. (2018). Mode of entry into hybrid entrepreneurship: new venture start-up versus business takeover. International Review of Entrepreneurship, 16(2): 217-240.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Xi, G., Block, J., Lasch, F., Robert, F., Thurik, R. (2018). Work experience from paid employment and entry mode to entrepreneurship: business takeover versus new venture start-up. Revue de l'Entrepreneuriat, 17(2): 91-112.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Block, J., Thurik, R., Van der Zwan, P., Walter, S. (2013). Business takeover or new venture? Individual and environmental determinants from a cross-country study. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 37(5): 1099-1121.
    (article, working paper version)

Performance of family businesses

As part of a larger research project, we investigated the financial performance of family businesses and the factors that influence it.

  • Jaskiewicz, P., Block, J., Wagner, D., Carney, M., Hansen, C. (2021). How do cross-country differences in institutional trust and trust in family explain the mixed performance effects of family management? A meta-analysis. Journal of World Business. 56(5), Article 101196.
    (article)

  • Hansen, C. (2020). Financial performance and capital structure of family firms: Meta-analytical investigations. Dissertation.
    (link)

  • Hansen, C., Block, J. (2020). Exploring the relation between family involvement and firms’ financial performance: A replication and extension meta-analysis. Journal of Business Venturing Insights. 14.
    (article)

  • Hansen, Block, J., Neuenkirch, M. (2020). Family firm performance over the business cycle: A meta-analysis. Journal of Economic Surveys, 34(3): 476-511.
    (article)

  • Wagner, D. (2016). A meta-analysis about the relationship between family firms and firm performance. Dissertation.
    (link)

  • Wagner, D., Block, J., Miller, D., Schwens, C., Xi, G. (2015). A meta-analysis of the financial performance of family firms: Another attempt. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 6(1): 3-13.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Block, J., Miller, D., Jaskiewicz, P. (2011). Ownership versus management effects on performance in family and founder companies: a Bayesian reconciliation. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 2(4): 232-245.
    (article, working paper version)

Capital and financing structure of family businesses

Family businesses finance themselves in a different way than non-family businesses. In a meta-analysis, we compared the capital structure of listed family businesses with the capital structure of listed non-family businesses. It turns out that family businesses have a lower level of debt.

  • Hansen, C., Block, J. (2021). Public family firms and capital structure: a meta-analysis. Corporate Governance: An International Review. 29(3): 297-319.
    (article - open access)

Social responsibility and sustainability management of family businesses

Due to their long-term orientation and because of the close ties between ownership and the company, family businesses have a particularly close connection to the company and its reputation. This gives rise to a special social responsibility for the company's employees and stakeholders. The following studies are dedicated to this topic:

  • Doluca, H., Wagner, M., Block, J. (2018). Sustainability and environmental behaviour in family firms: a longitudinal analysis of environmentally-related activities, innovation and performance. Business Strategy and the Environment, 27(1): 152-172.
    (article)

  • Block, J., Stiglbauer, M., Kühn, A. L., Wagner, D. (2015). Corporate Social Responsibility communication of German family firms: a content analysis. UmweltWirtschaftsForum, 23(4): 251-257.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Block, J., Wagner, M. (2014). The effect of family ownership on different dimensions of corporate social responsibility: Evidence from large US firms. Business Strategy and the Environment, 23(7): 475-492.
    (article, working paper version)

  • Block, J., Wagner, M. (2014). Ownership versus management effects on corporate social responsibility concerns in large family and founder firms. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 5(4): 339-346.
    (article)

  • Block, J. (2010). Family management, family ownership, and downsizing: evidence from S&P 500 firms. Family Business Review, 23(2): 1-22.
    (article, working paper version)