Multigenerational Transition in Family Businesses: A New Explanatory Model

This article presents an explanatory model for transfer of family businesses to following generations. Our research using 10 case studies shows that transfer of family businesses is a lifelong, continuous process, in which the family must address and foster the soft elements of the transfer process: enterpreneurship, freedom, values, outside experience, upbringing, and education. Furthermore, a business family can develop into a family dynasty only when it embraces sound governance as a fundamental principle; that is, the individual family member belongs to the family, which belongs to the business.