An Intergeneration Solidarity Perspective on Succession Intentions in Family Firms

In enterprising families, the family, as a social institution, is the foundation of the family business. However, in enterprising families, intergenerational succession remains problematic. Using intergenerational solidarity theory, and data from the 2013 Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students Survey (GUESSS; N = 18,576), our findings indicate that affective commitment partially mediates the relationship between family business exposure and offspring’s succession intentions. We also find that this relationship is stronger for sons than for daughters, while birth order has no effect. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.