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  • 1.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    100 years and older: responsible ownership in long-lived family firms2019Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The purpose of this paper is to explore the implications of responsible ownership in long-lived family firms. Theoretically, the paper draws on responsible ownership. Responsible ownership is suggested as an alternative conceptualization of social responsible behavior in family firms. Empirically, the study draws on in depth case studies from Germany and Sweden. The study focuses on responsible ownership behavior towards two key stakeholders, i.e. employees and the home community. Thereby the study contributes to further the understanding of responsible ownership of family firms.

  • 2.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Go East! How family businesses choose markets and entry modes when internationalising2016In: International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, ISSN 1479-3059, E-ISSN 1479-3067, Vol. 8, no 4, p. 333-354Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This paper investigates the choices of foreign markets, international market selection (IMS), and the respective entry modes, entry mode selection (EMS), for family firms internationalisation by using in-depth case studies of two family-owned newspaper companies. These decisions are studied from the Uppsala-stage model perspective. The purpose is to understand how and why family firms choose IMS and EMS when internationalising from a risk perspective. This study shows that IMS and EMS can at times be the consequence of one decision which may be the result of opportunistic behaviour. The decision reflects the risk preferences of owning families when selecting markets and entry modes. The explored family firms use contrasting approaches as they choose IMS and EMS according to different logics. Psychic distance leads to certain international market selection, but there is not a given preference for low distance. Instead, the entry mode selection reflects the dominant risk perception of the owning families. A preference for direct entry modes corresponds to the owning families risk perception and need for control. Accordingly, IMS and EMS are two steps, but the order of these is not given, i.e. after an entry mode is chosen this may be applied irrespective of the market to be entered. Business model and acquisition are highlighted as alternative entry modes, giving control to family firms. Thereby, this study expands those prior and increases the understanding of the peculiarities of family firm internationalisation.

  • 3.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Heteronormativity and the family firm: Will we ever see a queer family business?2017In: Gender and Family Entrepreneurship / [ed] João J. Ferreira; Vanessa Ratten; Veland Ramadani; Robert D. Hisrich; Leo-Paul Dana, London and New York: Routledge, 2017, 1, p. 171-182Chapter in book (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In this paper I address the concept of family within the family firm context as it is represented in family business research. I argue that the social construction of family is based on heteronormative expectations, i.e. the family consists of a man and woman (as a married couple) plus children. Although this assumption is rarely made explicit, it dominates the view when talking about family business. However, not even this traditional view of family can be kept since it is not representing ‘new’ or alternative families. As there might be a rationale for this in the individual study, we should be careful when comparing studies that use the traditional ‘heteronormative’ definition of family without elaboration. Based on the reviewed literature, it is argued that we could gain new and exciting insights when accounting for these non-traditional family firms.

  • 4.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Internationalization of regional newspaper companies: two examples2015Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Newspaper companies and other media companies are under pressure as their traditional business model is challenged. Some companies try to compensate by entering new markets, i.e. to internationalize. This strategy increases their presence in old and new media markets and segments. This paper problematizes how two family owned newspaper companies internationalize from two perspectives, i.e. an ownership perspective and an industry perspective. Empirically, the paper draws on two examples of family owned newspaper companies. Semi-structured interviews with owners, managers and editors have been conducted domestically and in the respective foreign market. Archival data has been used to complement the interviews. Both companies started as regional newspaper companies and have reached leading positions in their distribution area. Whereas one company entered the Eastern European market in the 1990s the other company focused on domestic expansion and small scale, international joint ventures in the later 2000s. From an ownership perspective it becomes visible that the family owners are initiating and supporting the internationalization process. In one company, an owner manager was in charge for the internationalization process which can be seen as a success factor. In the other company, the owners were not actively involved which is reflected in the relatively poorer results. From a newspaper industry perspective the study shows that synergies are possible by syndication of content across languages within the same industry as well as business models (printing).These perspectives contribute to the developing body of literature in the field of media management on internationalization and ownership.

  • 5.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Learning to professionalize: handling tensions in a family owned newspaper business2015Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This paper aims at understanding the professionalization process of a Swedish family owned newspaper from a generational perspective. Professionalization is a much debated topic within the family business field. Family ownership is still common in the Nordic countries.  But the consequences and implications are not well understood and despite its presence the issue of family ownership is rarely discussed in the academic field. Media studies discuss professionalization but mostly focusing on the journalistic profession. Ownership and ownership transition have only recently been discussed.

     Empirically, the paper draws on an in depth case study of a family owned newspaper company. Semi-structured interviews with owners, managers, board members, and editors have been conducted. The interviews were complemented with secondary material, e.g. annual reports and biographies. Four generations are discussed with regards to professionalization processes.  The study shows that competence and learning are factors influencing the professionalization process across generations.  Competence is divided into cultural and formal competence. Learning is categorized as experiential learning which increases over generations. Formal competence and structures become important, increasing the risk for alienation between the owners and the business.  Professionalization of ownership structures and roles has consequences for family, ownership and business. The paper contributes to the limited research on family ownership in media management research.

  • 6.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Overcoming the Paternalistic Firm – Codetermined Family Businesses A Paradox?: Comparing Cases from Sweden and Germany2020In: Management Revue, ISSN 0935-9915, E-ISSN 1861-9908, Vol. 31, no 4, p. 420-443Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The purpose of this comparative case study is to understand codetermination intwo family firms. Thereby, this study aims at exploring the role of employee-representativesin two non-listed family businesses. Empirically, this study draws on aninterpretive case study of two family businesses. Its findings extend earlier research,by exploring and introducing the phenomenon of codetermination in the familybusiness literature. Codetermination is explored with the perspective of paternalismas analytical lens. Theoretically, the study draws on the control-collaboration paradoxwhich helps understanding the phenomenon of codetermination. The study revealsdifferent types of codetermination, i.e., the works council and the board of directors.The implications of these types are highlighted and discussed. Findingshighlight the need for professional governance structures in order to facilitate cooperationbetween family owners, the management, and employee representatives.Professional governance allows handling the paternalistic ideological underpinningswhich can otherwise prevent continued firm success, leading to unsolved conflicts.

  • 7.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    (Social) innovation as a way out of a crisis?: How small family firms become innovative2023In: Research Handbook on Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Family Firms / [ed] Sascha Kraus; Thomas Clauss; Andreas Kallmuenzer, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023, p. 279-297Chapter in book (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The purpose of this chapter is to understand social innovation in small family firms in Sweden. The study draws on three Swedish small family firms, exemplifying different types of innovation in these firms. Examples range from incremental innovations to social innovations, illustrating the diversity of innovation in small family firms. These innovations are conceptualized as a continuum of innovations, which is depending on the degree of involvement of owner-managers on the one hand and the degree of involvement of employees on the other hand.

  • 8.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Technology and Society. Jönköping International Business School.
    The codetermined family business: a paradox?2013Conference paper (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    This work in progress paper introduces codetermination as phenomenon to the family business field. The study aims at exploring the role of employee-representatives in boards of non-listed family businesses and thereby contributes to understanding ownership and governance processes in family businesses.

  • 9.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    The codetermined family business: a paradox?: Comparing cases from Sweden and Germany2019Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The purpose of this comparative case study is to understand codetermination in two family firms. Empirically, this study draws on an interpretive case study of two family businesses. Its findings extends earlier research, by exploring and introducing the phenomenon of codetermination in the family business literature. Theoretically, the study draws on the control-collaboration paradox which helps understanding the phenomenon of codetermination. Findings highlight the need for professional governance structures in order to facilitate cooperation between family owners, the management, and employee representatives.

  • 10.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Andersson, Thomas
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment. Faculty of Theology, Diaconia and Leadership Studies, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway.
    Family members as hybrid owner-managers in family-owned newspaper companies: handling multiple institutional logics2023In: Journal of Family Business Management, ISSN 2043-6238, E-ISSN 2043-6246, Vol. 13, no 2, p. 523-543Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose

    This article aims to increase the understanding of the role of individual actors and arenas in dealing with multiple institutional logics in family firms.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows a case-study approach of two family-owned newspaper companies. Based on interviews and secondary sources, the empirical material was analysed focussing on three institutional logics, that is, family logic, management logic and journalistic logic.

    Findings

    First, the authors show how and in which arenas competing logics are balanced in family-owned newspaper companies. Second, the authors highlight that family owners are central actors in the process of balancing different institutional logics. Further, they analyse how family members can become hybrid owner-managers, meaning that they have access to all institutional logics and become central actors in the balancing process.

    Originality/value

    The authors reveal how multiple institutional logics are balanced in family firms by including formal actors and arenas as additional lenses. Therefore, owning family members, especially hybrid owner-managers, are the best-suited individual actors to balance competing logics. Hybrid owner-managers are members of the owner families who are also skilled in one or several professions.  

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  • 11.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Andersson, Thomas
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Hybrid Owner Managers in Family Firms2020In: IFERA 2020 Proceedings: Generations to Generations: Bridging Past and Future in Family Business / [ed] M. Concepción López-Fernández; José C. Casillas; Unai Arzubiaga; Josip Kotlar, IFERA Inc. , 2020, p. 53-53, article id 275Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The paper is based on an in-depth case study of two family firms in the newspaper industry. This industrycombines institutional logics, such as journalistic and management logic (Achtenhagen, & Raviola, 2009), as wellas family logic in these two cases. This paper intends to make the following contributions. First, we highlight thatfamily owners are central actors in the process of balancing different institutional logics. Further, we analyzehow family members can become hybrid owner-managers, meaning that they have access to all institutionallogics and become central actors in the balancing process.

  • 12.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    Billström, Anders
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    Brozovic, Danilo
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    Entrepreneurial resilience (ER) and family business: a perspective article2024In: Journal of Family Business Management, ISSN 2043-6238, E-ISSN 2043-6246Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose: This paper highlights the need for future studies researching the subject of resilience in family firms on different levels. Design/methodology/approach: This paper reviews the literature on resilience in family businesses. Findings: Resilience has become more important due to the recent multiple crises, starting with the coronavirus pandemic, followed by high inflation and energy prices, partly resulting from the war in Ukraine. These multiple crises affect the family and the business level. Future research must account for multiple levels when addressing it, i.e. the individual, the team, the family, and the business level. Resilience has to encompass all levels to sustain family business continuity. Originality/value: By giving an overview of the concept of resilience, taking the family's perspective, and suggesting future avenues of research, the paper contributes to the development of family business research. 

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  • 13.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Brozović, Danilo
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Work-family interface: coping strategies in growing family SMEs2019Conference paper (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    SMEs may be more vulnerable because of their limited resources (Falkner & Hiebl, 2015). SMEs’ success is often dependent on their owner managers, e.g. their attitude towards growth may differ substantively (Achtenhagen, Naldi, & Melin, 2010; Jaouen & Lasch, 2015). For instance, Davidsson argued that not all small firm owners are willing to grow because they, e.g., fear that growth will endanger employee well-being and the owners will lose control (Davidsson, 1989, 1991). The ability of owner managers to follow a growth strategy may in part also be dependent on how the owner manager is able to handle its life outside the business (Jennings & McDougald, 2007), e.g. the family embeddedness (Aldrich & Cliff, 2003).

    More recent research has called for studies investigating, e.g. the work–family (WF) interactions in businesses run by male and female entrepreneurs (Adkins, Samaras, Gilfillan, & McWee, 2013; Ahl, 2006). Extant research has started looking at motives and constrains of female entrepreneurs in regards to the work family interface (Adkins, et al., 2013; Ahl, 2006).

    Research on work family interface is, in line with other areas, dominated by studies investigating the US-context, disregarding other contexts (Shaffer, Joplin, & Hsu, 2011). More and more researchers have called for further research on the interface between family and work life (Jaskiewicz, Combs, Shanine, & Kacmar, 2017; Nguyen & Sawang, 2016; Powell & Eddleston, 2017; Powell, Greenhaus, Allen, & Johnson, 2018). Therefore, we offer a new angle by investigating male entrepreneurs who can be considered successful in a Swedish context. Success in this context refers to a sustainable growth strategy in regards to growing the business considerably in both turnover and number of employees over a period of five years.

     Purpose/topic of research

    The purpose of this study is to understand the work-family interface in small, growing family firms by answering the following research questions:

    Which coping strategies are used to address conflicts in the work family interface?How do these strategies support work/life –balance and how to do they influence firm growth?

    Research method

    The authors of this study conducted a research project on SMEs which, after a period of stable performance in terms of turnover and number of employees, grew with 50% in bother turnover and number of employees over a consecutive period of five years. The study was conducted in the southwest of Sweden.

    For this paper and purpose we selected three companies where the respondents had expressed that work-life-conflicts played a role for being able to focus on and execute a growth strategy.

    The figures concerning turnover and number of employees were taken from the publicly available annual reports. The collection of this data was executed in 2017 and included annual reports from 2000 to 2016.

    As part of the general study, the selected companies were interviewed. Before the interviews were conducted, the interviewees were contacted by email and afterwards by telephone. In this first telephone conversation, the general purpose of the study was explained. In the following face-to-face interviews the respondents, usually owner-managers, were interviewed, using a structured interview guideline. The guideline entailed open questions and scaled questions concerning reasons for growth, performance, change in ownership and management, entrepreneurial orientation, employee concerns, justice and equality.

     Theories used Coping strategies

    The literature has come up with plenty of coping strategies that deal with how individual deal with issues that bothers them. In this study we draw on research with a connection to entrepreneurship and growth (Jennings & McDougald, 2007).

     Coping has been defined in psychological terms by Lazarus and Folkman (1984) as “constantly changing cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage specific external and/or internal demands that are appraised as taxing”. Coping is expending conscious effort to solve personal and interpersonal problems, and seeking to master and minimize stress (Weiten & Lloyd, 2008). Psychological coping mechanisms are usually termed coping strategies or coping skills. Unconscious strategies are commonly excluded. The term coping generally refers to adaptive or constructive coping strategies. However, some coping strategies can also be considered maladaptive. Maladaptive coping can be described as non-coping. Furthermore, the term coping commonly refers to reactive coping. This contrasts with proactive coping, in which a coping response aims to head off a future stressor. Coping responses are partly controlled by personality, but also by the social context, particularly the stressful environment (Carver & Connor-Smith, 2010).

    On growth

    “Most firms start small, live small and die small” (Davidsson 2010, p. 23[BB1] ). Growth is not the norm, and the main reason that most firms do not grow is that they operate in mature industries and serves local markets (Davidsson 2010). For those firms that do grow the entrepreneur often plays an important role. Factors such as motivation, education, management experience, number of founders have been proven to influence growth in a positive direction. However, there is a lack of research regarding how different factors related to work-life balance affects firm growth.

    Growth is usually defined as an increase in the amount of some measurable outcome, e.g. sales or employment (Cyron & Zoellick, 2018)(Cyron & Zoellick 2018, Davidsson 2010).

     Contribution of research

    The research contributes insights on which and how male entrepreneurs use coping strategies to address conflicts in the work family interface.

    Findings reveal the complex role of family which can both be an origin but also a solution to these conflicts.

    The study further contributes to the ongoing debate concerning growth intension and growth ambition in the entrepreneurship literature. Especially in small family firms, growth is not only hindered by limited resources. At the same time, resources and obstacles for growth are complex.

  • 14.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Henschel, Thomas
    Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin.
    Being Entrepreneurial in a Crisis?: The Role of Entrepreneurial Orientation in Crisis Management of Family Firms2019In: Embracing uncertainty: Entrepreneurship as a key capability for the 21st century / [ed] René Maurer, Sophia Braun, 2019Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 15.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    Henschel, Thomas
    Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin, Fachbereich Wirtschafts- und Rechtswissensch.
    Communities of Practice in der Wissensweitergabe: Die Rolle in familiengeführten KMUs –Eine empirische Analyse2023In: Zeitschrift für Corporate Governance, E-ISSN 1868-7792, no 6, p. 245-251, article id 3Article in journal (Other academic)
    Abstract [de]

    Die vorliegende Studie widmet sich der Analyse der entscheidenden Rolle von Communities of Practice (CoPs) als Instrumente desWissensaustauschs in familiengeführten Klein- und Mittelunternehmen (KMUs), insbesondere wenn sowohl Familienmitglieder als auch externe Fachkräfte gemeinsam an diesen Communities teilnehmen. Durch die Anwendung einer umfassenden Multi-Fall-studie über einen Zeitraum von acht Jahren wurden sechs kleine Unternehmen aus unterschiedlichen Branchen und verschiedenen Ländern einer Untersuchung unterzogen.

  • 16.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    Henschel, Thomas
    Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft, Berlin, Germany.
    Crisis Management: A Necessary Evil or Useful Tool?: The Role of Socioemotional Wealth in the Crisis Management of Family Firms2022In: Management Revue, ISSN 0935-9915, E-ISSN 1861-9908, Vol. 33, no 4, p. 397-428Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand how family firms manage a crisis by applying a processual perspective addressing the different phases of a crisis, including its origin, context and consequences. Drawing on a study of six family firms, we find that the leadership of the owning family signifies crisis management in family firms. Also, family firms rely on multiple crisis management practices and make use of their relationships and networks, which support crisis management at different stages. Socioemotional wealth can be both a trigger and a consequence of crisis management procedures. This study contributes to the literature by providing a more nuanced and developed crisis management model that accounts for the peculiarities of family firms. We argue that it is of the greatest importance to consider the consequences of a crisis whose origin stems from the owning family. In particular, such crises will trigger the owning family, as their socioemotional endowment would be at risk, which can free family resources for crisis management practices.

  • 17.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Henschel, Thomas
    Visiting Professor University of Verona, Department of Business Administration, Verona, Italy ; Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin, Fachbereich Wirtschafts- und Rechtswissenschaften, Berlin, Germany.
    Different Crises in Family SMEs and How to Prepare for Them2022In: Crisis Management for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Strategies for External Crises / [ed] Susanne Durst; Thomas Henschel, Cham: Springer, 2022, 1, p. 101-117Chapter in book (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In this chapter, we discuss and analyse how family SMEs can prepare for crises originating in different areas. In specific, we discuss how family SMEs can prepare for crises originating in the family, the firm and the environment. There is an overlap in family SMEs, which implies that it is necessary to account for all three areas in a crisis situation. All three dimensions can be the origin for a crisis and part of a solution to handling the crisis. In the following, we discuss each dimension in detail with regard to crisis management in family SMEs. The study offers advice for family SMEs facing a crisis situation caused by internal causes, business or family-induced. Family SMEs should prepare themselves well in advance—with crisis management—to face severe shocks, and not just react under stress. This leads to a more proactive crisis management approach.

  • 18.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Henschel, Thomas
    HTW-Berlin, Germany.
    Entrepreneurial Orientation and Crisis: How Family Firms Manage the COVID-19-Pandemic2021In: Rethinking Finance, ISSN 2628-4944, no 01, p. 65-72, article id REF1357499Article in journal (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    We investigate how family firms manage and overcome the Covid-crisis. We distinguish between different areas of crisis origin, i.e. the environment, the business or the family. We propose a process model of crisis management and draw on a interview study of German and Swedish companies. The model includes different activities which could be undertaken before, during and after a crisis-event. We propose four essential topics for family firms’ crisis management: (1) family firm leadership mindset, (2) multiple crisis management practices, (3) relationship and network strength and (4) process view. 

  • 19.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Henschel, Thomas
    Department of Wirtschafts- und Rechtswissenschaften, HTW Berlin University of Applied Sciences, Berlin, Germany.
    The role of entrepreneurial orientation in crisis management: evidence from family firms in enterprising communities2022In: Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, ISSN 1750-6204, E-ISSN 1750-6212, Vol. 16, no 5, p. 756-780Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose:

    The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand how family firms manage a crisis by applying a processual and longitudinal perspective. The objective is to find out how crisis management is approached by family firms in Sweden, Scotland and Germany, using entrepreneurial orientation (EO) as an analytical lens. Further, this paper investigates the role of the owning family in creating and solving a crisis in family firms.

    Design/methodology/approach:

    This study follows a processual and longitudinal case study approach. Cases are drawn from Germany, Scotland and Sweden. Data collection is based on a combination of interviews with archival data such as annual reports and press clippings.

    Findings:

    The results show that all studied firms had high levels of autonomy combined with high risk-taking. It is noteworthy, that these dimensions also help to overcome the crisis. Risk-taking and proactiveness can be useful for addressing the crisis. Under certain circumstances, even innovativeness can help to develop new offers. Autonomy is considered central in family firms and only extraordinary circumstances can be owning families make willing to compromise on it. The EO-dimensions are not all relevant at all times. Rather, family firms will emphasize the dimensions during the consecutive stages differently.

    Originality/value:

    This study compares case companies from Germany, Scotland and Sweden and how EO contributes to their crisis management by taking a longitudinal and processual perspective. Its originality lies in the in-depth studies of companies from three countries.

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  • 20.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Henschel, Thomas
    HTW Berlin, Germany.
    Stellmacher, Maria
    HTW Berlin, Germany.
    Turning Around the Family and the Business?: Examples of Turnaround Strategies from Germany, Scotland, and Sweden2022In: The Nordic Journal of Business, ISSN 2342-9003, E-ISSN 2342-9011, Vol. 71, no 2, p. 77-101Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The purpose of this study is to understand turnaround strategies in family firms from a so-cioemotional wealth (SEW) perspective. This study follows a case study approach with four family firms, one from Germany, one from Scotland, and two from Sweden. Data collection builds on combining interviews with data collected from annual reports, homepages, and press clips. First, we contribute to the understanding of turnaround strategies in private family firms. Moreover, the SEW perspective offers new insights into how owning families prioritize the different turnaround strategies in relation to the SEW dimensions. Finally, our study also helps further an understanding of how owning families prioritize the SEW dimensions, by drawing on mixed gambles. These findings are used to develop a framework for explaining how SEW influences organizational decline and turnaround in private family firms. Finally, we develop propositions that future research could consider.

  • 21.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    A founder's heritage: the development of organizational identity2019In: Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, ISSN 0827-6331, E-ISSN 2169-2610, Vol. 31, no 1, p. 73-95Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The purpose of this paper is to understand how a former family firm strategically makes use of the founder's legacy to preserve its organizational identity. Following a single case study approach, it draws on rich empirical material from semi-structured interviews and extensive archival data. We show how central organizational activities are affected by a founder's heritage long after the formal exit has taken place, illustrating the central, enduring, and distinctive elements of organizational identity a founder has. Regardless of ownership forms, the family company founder's legacy is used to legitimize new owners and maintain the organization's identity. However, centripetal moves complicate the preservation of the organizational identity, whereas a high focus on value leveraging in another ownership form opens up for centrifugal approaches which strengthen the entrepreneurial dimension of organizational identity.

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  • 22.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    A founder’s heritage: the development of psychological ownership2017Conference paper (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    ObjectivesIs a founder “leaving” an organization by selling it, or are there aspects of the founder left even though, the founder does not have a formal occupation or ownership in the organization?Will there be a legacy of the founder and how will this affect the psychological ownership? What is the founder’s heritage from a psychological ownership perspective?The purpose is to understand the consequences of a business sale of the founder and from a psychological ownership perspective.

    Prior WorkDrawing on the work of psychological ownership and founder heritage, the work combines important literatures to shed light on an important empirical phenomenon, i.e. the exit of a founder/entrepreneur and its consequences for the organization.

    ApproachThis study follows a single case study approach and draws on rich empirical material from semi-structured interviews and extensive archival data.

    ResultsWe show how central activities are affected by a founder’s heritage over long time after the formal exit has taken place. We illustrate the development of a founder’s psychological ownership before and after he has formally sold the legal ownership.

    Implications and ValueThe paper aims at contributing to the entrepreneurial and founder exit-literature by adding a process perspective. Unlike it is sometimes assumed in the entrepreneurship literature is an exit not necessarily a clear-cut and once and for all decision. The paper contributes also psychological ownership literature by highlighting its continuity after the formal sale of the legal ownership and its consequences for the organization.

  • 23.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Distinguishing VCFB, Family Offices and other devices for wealth transition and sustainability of owning families2021In: IFERA 2021: Family business: A model for the new world? / [ed] María Concepción Lopéz-Fernandéz; Unai Azurbiaga; José C. Casillas, 2021, p. 85-85Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This paper compares and distinguishes different devices, which family owners use to manage and develop their wealth over time. The paper addresses similarities and differences and states research questions for future development.

  • 24.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future. CeFEO@JIBS.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Family business, resilience and regional culture: Examples from Sweden2014Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The present study examines two regions in the south west of Sweden. A number of factors which are of significant importance in creating resilient family businesses as well as regions are identified. The study is based on a literature investigation and on 60 interviews of leaders in business and communities. Thereby, the study contributes to the scarce literature on resilience in family businesses and the interdependence with regional culture. Resilience in this paper refers to a particular type of economic and structural crisis which has not been considered before. We highlight similarities and differences of two regions in Sweden which have distinct regional cultures. These cultures support the development of resiliency. However, owning families as facilitators for organizational resilience play the central role. Their closeness and involvement in the business allows them to act fast and take decisions quickly which makes them more resilient.

  • 25.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Family businesses as venture capitalists: the exception that proves the rules?2016Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 26.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Remembering the Founder in Times of Ownership and Leadership Changes2016In: RENT Proceedings 2016, Antwerp, 2016Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objectives

    Is a founder “leaving” an organization by selling it, or are there aspects of the founder left even though, the founder does not have a formal occupation or ownership in the organization?

    What are the motives of a founder to sell his organization? Will there be a legacy of the founder and how will this affect the organization’s identity? By questioning ‘who were we?’ or ‘who have we been?’ the relevance of organizational history becomes apparent. But how does this work in practice when a founder is not any longer part of the dominant coalition of the organization?

    The purpose is to understand the heritage of a founder, and the consequences for the organizational identity when the founder exits.

    Prior Work

    Drawing on the work of entrepreneurial exit and organizational identity, including imprinting, the work combines important literatures to shed light on an important empirical phenomenon, i.e. the exit of a founder/entrepreneur.

     

    Approach

    This study follows a single case study approach and draws on rich empirical material from semi-structured interviews and extensive archival data.

     

    Results

    We show how central activities are affected by a founder’s heritage over long time after the formal exit has taken place. We illustrate this by analyzing the consequences of changes in ownership and leadership after the founder’s exit. The founder becomes an artefact which allows to signal continuity and discontinuity depending on the different owners’ perspectives.

     

    Implications and Value

    The paper aims at contributing to the entrepreneurial and founder exit-literature by adding a process perspective. Unlike it is sometimes assumed in the entrepreneurship literature is an exit not necessarily a clear-cut and once and for all decision. The paper contributes also to the organizational identity literature by highlighting the central role a founder can have for an organization.

  • 27.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Social value creation and family entrepreneurship in communities2020In: IFERA 2020 Proceedings: Generations to Generations: Bridging Past and Future in Family Business / [ed] M. Concepción López-Fernández; José C. Casillas; Unai Arzubiaga; Josip Kotlar, IFERA Inc. , 2020, p. 175-175, article id 232Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This study investigate social value creation in family firms in a region in Sweden. The purpose of this study is tocompare two family firms that are embedded in a strong regional entrepreneurial culture and understand howthe owners contribute to value creation. A case study approach is used to understand the value creation. Thestudy finds different forums and means of interaction between the firms and the community, such as the localuniversity and the local sports club. The owners become engaged citizens which allows extending earlier discussionson the subject. Thereby, the student develops the concept of social value creation at the interconnectionof family firms and communities. The study draws on prior discourses from the entrepreneurship literature.

  • 28.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    Brunninge, Olof
    Jönköping International Business School, Jönköping University, Sweden.
    Ceasing to communicate public family firm identity: the decoupling of internally experienced and externally communicated identities2023In: Journal of Family Business Management, ISSN 2043-6238, E-ISSN 2043-6246Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how the family firm identity is affected when it is no longer publicly communicated. Design/methodology/approach: A case study approach was used to follow a third-generation family business, a large Swedish home electronics firm that acquired a competitor and, initially, continued using its family firm identity after the acquisition. This study longitudinally tracks the company and its owning family using archival data combined with interviews. Findings: The case company decided to stop communicating their identity as a family business. Such a move initially appears counterintuitive, since it potentially threatens the family firm identity and leads the firm to forgo other advantages, e.g. in branding. However, the decision was based on arguments that were rational from a business perspective, leading to a decoupling of family and firm identity. Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature by showing a decoupling of internally experienced and externally communicated identities. It further contributes to the understanding of the family firm identity concept.

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  • 29.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Brunninge, Olof
    University of Jönköping.
    Giving Up The Family Name While Staying A Family Business: The Family Business As Acquirer2018Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 30.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Brunninge, Olof
    Jönköping International Business School, Sweden.
    Nordqvist, Mattias
    Jönköping International Business School, Sweden.
    Going private: A socioemotional wealth perspective on why family controlled companies decide to leave the stock-exchange2017In: The Journal of Family Business Strategy, ISSN 1877-8585, E-ISSN 1877-8593, Vol. 8, no 2, p. 74-86Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Our purpose is to understand the process of ‘going private’ decisions in family firms by applying a socioemotional wealth (SEW) perspective, specified in the following research questions: how do socioemotional wealth considerations influence owning families’ decisions to delist their publicly-listed companies? How do socioemotional wealth considerations change after the delisting of a firm? Based on case studies of two family firms, we elaborate upon the balancing of socioemotional and financial wealth considerations by the family owners, the assessment of which changes over time. Ultimately, we propose that the experiences from being listed can lead to the reevaluation of financial, as well as socioemotional, wealth considerations. By delisting, the companies reclaim independence and control, and the identity as a private family-owned firm becomes once again pronounced. We develop the SEW-perspective by viewing the decision to delist as a mixed gamble, in that owning families have to weigh personal and financial losses against SEW gains, thereby indicating how SEW-considerations change over time. We find that owning families are willing to sacrifice current SEW, accepting current financial losses for prospective increased SEW. Additionally, in this study we extend the argument that decisions to leave the stock market are tradeoffs between competing factors.

  • 31.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Brunninge, Olof
    Jönköping International Business School, Sweden.
    Nordqvist, Mattias
    Jönköping International Business School, Sweden.
    Going private: Why family controlled, publicly-listed companies decide to leave the stock-exchange2015Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 32.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Evansluong, Quang
    Umeå University and University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
    The family influences of EO development in immigrant family businesses2021Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This paper explores how family influences the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) process in immigrant family business. To fulfill the purpose, we employ inductive multiple case studies using fifty-six in-depth interviews. We rely on seven cases of immigrant entrepreneurs of Chinese, Icelandic, Turkish, Cameroonian, Mexican and Libanese who established firms in Sweden. Our results suggest that EO development trajectories vary in regard to first and second generation immigrant entrepreneurs, low and high-tech sectors and host and home contries. Thus, family dynamics facilitates the development of entrepreneurial orientation over time through transfering across generations and contexts. Our study indicates that, through family dynamics, EO is developed as a transferring process of the founders' proactiveness, risk-taking and innovativeness between the family in the home and host country.

  • 33.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Melin, Leif
    Jönköping International Business School.
    Family business: A duality perspective on organizational identity in family businesses2015In: Proceedings IFERA 2015, Hamburg: Hamburg Institute of Family Owned Business , 2015, p. 107-Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Organizational identity has become a popular topic in family business research. Yet, there is little research accounting for the peculiarities of family businesses. Organizational identity research is dominated by the view of Albert and Whetten (1985) and the question of what organizational identity is. Little attention has been devoted to understand how organizational identity is constructed in family businesses. We draw on case studies and use a dualities perspective. This perspective builds on three dualities which are common to family businesses, i.e. formality-informality, independence-dependence, and historical paths-new paths.

  • 34.
    Boers, Börje
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Nordqvist, Mattias
    Jönköping University, Sweden.
    Family businesses as hybrid organisations2020In: Handbook on Hybrid Organisations / [ed] David Billis, Colin Rochester, Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2020, p. 507-521Chapter in book (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The objective of this chapter is to deepen our understanding of the nature of family businesses by analysing them as hybrid organisations. We define family businesses as businesses where one or several families own the controlling majority of the shares and are actively involved in the business (Chrisman et al., 2005; Chua et al., 1999). The focus of the chapter is on the theoretical notion of family businesses as hybrid organisations, and it draws on case research based on two publicly listed family firms. Publicly listed family firms are common around the world (La Porta et al., 1999) and they illustrate explicitly the hybrid character of family businesses by combining the logic of family ownership with the expectation of delivering shareholder value (Boers and Nordqvist, 2012). We argue that hybridity is especially apparent in publicly listed family businesses, where it arises from different underlying institutional logics related to the family and the market and the private and the public. The hybrid nature of this kind of business has an impact on their decision-making, their control and/or their governance more generally. To analyse the two cases, we draw on literature on hybrid organisations, governance and family firms. The study of hybrid organisations has gained momentum in recent years (see, e.g., Battilana and Dorado, 2010; Battilana and Lee, 2014; Billis, 2010; Pache and Santos, 2013; and also this Handbook). The current focus seems to be on social enterprises as typical examples of hybrid organisations (Battilana and Lee, 2014; Doherty et al., 2014). Yet this phenomenon is not exclusive to social enterprises or the third sector: it is equally relevant for some public sector and for-profit organisations. The most common type of business is the family business (Dyer, 2003), which also represents a hybrid organisation, with the two domains of family and business constituting the source of hybridity. Family businesses have been portrayed as hybrid organisations in previous literature (e.g., Arregle et al., 2007; Boers and Nordqvist, 2012; Ljungkvist and Boers, 2017), but the concept of hybridity has not gained as much research attention as it deserves. The purpose of this chapter is to address this limitation.

  • 35.
    Boers, Qiuhong
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    The Construction of a Professional Identity of a Female Entrepreneur2018In: Knowledge, Learning and Innovation: Research Insights on Cross-Sector Collaborations / [ed] Vanessa Ratten, Vitor Braga, Carla Susana Marques, Cham: Springer, 2018, p. 113-122Chapter in book (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    The construction of professional identity of an entrepreneur involves many factors. In this chapter, the case study of a Chinese female immigrant entrepreneur in Sweden illustrates the complexity of professional identity which intertwines with the gender identity and the cultural identity in all levels from personal, professional and socio-cultural. The methods of participant observation and discourse analysis are used. The results reflect the impacts of gender and culture factors in the construction and communication of professional identity, which can contribute to the integration process of Chinese immigrants in Sweden.

  • 36.
    Brozovic, Danilo
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    Jansson, Christian
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    Strategic flexibility and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises: a study of enablers and barriers2023In: Management Decision, ISSN 0025-1747, E-ISSN 1758-6070Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose: This article investigates how strategic flexibility (SF) is achieved in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), exploring whether SF contributes to firm growth and the associated enablers and barriers of SF.

    Design/methodology/approach: To offer a more nuanced view of SF in SMEs, a qualitative approach is applied. Researchers conducted and analyzed 91 interviews with owners and chief executive officers (CEOs) of SMEs exhibiting high growth and explored whether SF contributes to firm growth and the associated enablers and barriers of SF.

    Findings: The results show a connection between SF and firm growth and confirm the importance of strategic orientation for SF in SMEs. Contrary to the existing literature, this study found a neutral impact of external networks and a positive impact of slack resources on SF. The lack of competent employees emerged as a considerable barrier to SF in SMEs.

    Research limitations/implications: More research focusing on the relationship between SF and firm growth is suggested, as well as further research about the relevance of slack resources and external networks as enablers of SF in SMEs.

    Practical implications: Motivating and developing valuable employee competence are the key managerial implications. Additionally, business consultants and business developers in the public sector must find ways to increase business consultants and business developers' relevance to SMEs.

    Originality/value: This article explores SF in SMEs, a context of disagreement in previous literature, and finds that SF contributes to SME growth. A qualitative approach is used, enrichening a field dominated by quantitative methodological choices. 

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  • 37.
    Evansluong, Quang
    et al.
    Lund University School of Economics and Management.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Ujvari, Sandor
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    The family influences of EO development in immigrant family businesses2018In: Sustainable entrepreneurship: A win-win strategy for the future, Toledo, 2018Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This paper explores how family influences the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) process in immigrant family business. To fulfill the purpose, we employ inductive multiple case studies with in-depth interviews.  We rely on seven cases of immigrant entrepreneurs of Chinese, Icelandic, Turkish, Cameroonian, Mexican and Lebanese who established firms in Sweden. Our results suggest that EO development trajectories vary in regard to first and second immigrant entrepreneurs, low and high-tech sectors and host and home countries. Thus, family dynamics facilitates the development of entrepreneurial orientation over time through transforming, translating and transferring across generations and contexts. Our study indicates that, through family dynamics, EO is developed as a (1) transferring process of the founders’ proactiveness between the family in the home and host country; (2) translating process of risk-taking between the family companies in the home country to immigrant family company in the host country and (3) transforming process of innovativeness between the home and the host country.

  • 38.
    Heinze, Ilka
    et al.
    Hochschule Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, Germany.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Stellmacher, Maria
    HTW Berlin, University of Applied Sciences, Germany.
    Platt, Karl-Florian
    Business and Media School, Hochschule Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, Berlin, Germany.
    Is it just about me?: A comparison between individual and cultural strategies of learning from failure2022In: International Journal of Educational Research Open, ISSN 2666-3740, Vol. 3, article id 100209Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The aim of this exploratory study is to research individual and cultural strategies of learning from failure amongst German, Indian and Swedish university students. Our research provides (1) a framework of typal similarities of failure learning within the national cultures of Germany, India and Sweden, as well as (2) understanding of cultural effects on failure learning and (3) insights for entrepreneurship educators to develop programs that steer discussions and reflections on the event of failure as a likely part of the entrepreneurial process. Thus, this research provides a new brick of understanding as our results show that both culture-based strategies as well as culturally independent typical subjectivities in learning from failure exist for the three nations Germany, India and Sweden. The defined typologies can broaden our understanding of learning from failure at an intermediate level, bridging the gap between cultural and individual factors. Furthermore, our paper showcases the suitability of Q methodology to bring to front individual beliefs as well as group-specific opinions in higher education by discussing the methodological capabilities and challenges as experienced during our study.

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  • 39.
    Henschel, Thomas
    et al.
    Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    A necessary evil or useful tool?: Crisis management in family firms2019Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The aim of this paper is to explore and understand how family firms manage a crisis by applying a processual perspective.  Our objective is to find out how crisis management is approached by family firms in Sweden, Scotland, and Germany. Further, we aim to examine the role of the owning family in creating and solving a crisis in family firms. Finally, we will provide recommendations on how family firms can improve their crisis management practices.

  • 40.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    A theory of venture capital family business: a governance trajectory2023In: Journal of Family Business Management, ISSN 2043-6238, E-ISSN 2043-6246, Vol. 13, no 2, p. 503-522Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose – The purpose of this study is to understand venture capital family businesses (VCFBs) governance of portfolio companies through the deal process.

    Design/methodology/approach – This study applies a theory-developing approach. A model of VCFB governance is developed whose key aspects are illuminated by four examples (cases) of VCFBs.

    Findings – Recent research suggests that a venture capital firm’s corporate deal processes can be divided intothe pre-deal, deal and post-deal phases. Based on the age, size and succession dimensions, propositions for how a governance trajectory develops for VCFBs, affecting the deal process of target family firms (TFFs), are presented. These propositions highlight how the family owners’ actions and behavior are related to VCFB governance, which in turn, influences the three phases involved in making an investment.

    Originality/value – The propositions suggest how personal and administrative VCFBs’ governance of the deal process of portfolio companies is significantly affected by centrifugal and centripetal forces that drive the respective types of governance where third-generation family owners appear as changers of governance approach.

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  • 41.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    A theory of venture capital family business (VCFB): professionalization trajectories2019Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Venture capital as well as family firms are very heterogeneous populations of firms. Extant literature has studied the interaction and connection between the groups of firms. However, only recently, researcher began to look at those firms which are part of both group at the same. Firms which are labeled venture capital family businesses (VCFB) (Ljungkvist & Boers, 2017). Recent research suggests that the interaction of family firms and VC firms can be distinguished into three separate phases (Schickinger, et al., 2018). Based on these phases, the paper develops propositions on how VCFB firms develop their professionalization trajectories in these phases. Thus, the presented propositions highlight how the family owners’ actions and behavior are related to professionalism and how it influences the three phases of investing.

  • 42.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment. Witten Institute for Family Business, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany.
    Another hybrid?: Family businesses as venture capitalists2017In: Journal of Family Business Management, ISSN 2043-6238, E-ISSN 2043-6246, Vol. 7, no 3, p. 329-350Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose – This paper addresses the phenomenon of venture capital firms which are also family businesses(VCFBs). The purpose of this paper is to explore and understand the phenomenon of VCFB by answering thefollowing questions: What are the features of professionalization in VCFBs? And, how do professionalizationand types of family businesses explain the strategies and governance of VCFBs?Design/methodology/approach – As an explorative case study, it maps the Swedish venture capital (VC)industry and compares two VCFBs and their business investments with regard to strategy and governance.Findings – By suggesting two major configurations, the study explains how family business developmentand levels of professionalization relate to differences in VCFBs’ strategies, which in turn, affect theirgovernance. The personal VCFB features active owners who personally take responsibility roles and stronglyfocus on customers and relationships. The administrative VCFB strongly focuses on predetermined financialmetrics, high ethical awareness among board members, and ongoing interplay between the active familyboard members and minority shareholders.Research limitations/implications – The study was conducted in Sweden and concerns Swedish VCFBs.The paper contributes to the literature by combining the two currently separate research streams, i.e. familybusiness and VC, highlighting the importance and consequences of family ownership in VC businesses.Practical implications – The present study provides stock market investors and stock analysts with adeeper understanding of VCFBs’ strategy incentives. By identifying the kind of VCFB and its relation tostrategy, more reasonable assessments and analyses of the VCFBs’ actions will be possible. Family firms willingto accept VC-finance should consider the type of VC and the potential consequences of family ownership.Originality/value – This study is the first to classify VC firms as family businesses. Moreover, it shows thefeatures of professionalization in VCFBs by suggesting a set of configurations.

  • 43.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Resilience and family businesses and regional culture2014Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 44.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future.
    Structural crisis?: Regional culture and resilience in family business-dominated regions in Sweden2016In: Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, ISSN 1750-6204, E-ISSN 1750-6212, Vol. 10, no 4, p. 425-446Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    PurposeThe purpose of this study is to understand the interdependence between regional culture and resilience in family business-dominated regions.

    Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a literature review and helps to fill the knowledge gap regarding regional culture and resilience in family business-dominated contexts.

    FindingsWe highlight similarities and differences between two regions of Sweden with distinct regional cultures that support resilience. A number of norms that are significant in generating resilient regions are identified. One key finding is that the regional culture developed during the proto-industrial era, in connection with home production, still affects and contributes to resilience in these family business-dominated regions.

    Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on two case studies, so no generalizable conclusions can be drawn.

    Practical implicationsFor policy-makers, our study shows that structural crises can be overcome with a strong regional culture, as it can foster resilience. However, regional culture is hard to implement by political decisions. For owners and managers of organizations, our study suggests that it is essential to consider regional culture as an important factor for the organization.

    Originality/valueThis study draws on a comparison of two regions in Sweden with explicit regional cultures.

  • 45.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    The founder’s psychological ownership and its strategic implications2020In: Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, ISSN 1462-6004, E-ISSN 1758-7840, Vol. 27, no 1, p. 85-102Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the change of the founder’s psychological ownershipwhen s/he sells the business and its implications for the organization’s strategy.Design/methodology/approach – The study contributes with a longitudinal study of psychologicalownership, accounting for its development over time in a Swedish e-commerce company. By applying a casestudy methodology, conclusions are drawn from a vast amount of archival data and interviews. The empiricalmaterial covers the transition from a founder-run, family-owned to a first foreign-owned, and currentlyprivate-equity owned company.Findings – Theoretically, it extends understandings of psychological ownership and its strategicimplications by including former legal owners; that is, how psychological ownership changes after legalownership ceases. Thereby, it develops the individual dimension (founder and former owner) of psychologicalownership as well as its collective dimension (employees toward founder). The paper contributes to thepsychological ownership founder and exit-literatures by highlighting continuity after the formal sale of legalownership and its consequences for the organization.Practical implications – It finds that new legal owners can use this heritage to signal continuity andlaunch strategic changes by transforming it into artifacts.Originality/value – This study extends the understanding of development of psychological ownership offounders from foundation to exit and its consequences for the organization’s strategy. This extension shedsnew light on founders as artifacts of organizations and thereby their role for the organizational heritage.

  • 46.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Andersén, Jim
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Family firm versus non-family firm: the role of resource orchestration in fast-growing high-tech SMEs2022In: Journal of Family Business Management, ISSN 2043-6238, E-ISSN 2043-6246Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose: This paper strives to understand the role of resource orchestration (RO) in the rapid growth of high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach: Based on a comparative case study, RO is compared between a high-tech family firm and a high-tech non-family firm. To capture the complexity of RO, this study applies a longitudinal approach using a large volume of archival and interview data gathered over ten years. Findings: The configuration of family-firm paradoxical growth-oriented RO emphasizes RO based on collectivism and responsibility, although relying on large-scale conforming normative control. In contrast, the configuration of non-family-firm growth-oriented RO emphasizes administrative-based delegation and management-supported value creation. Originality/value: By suggesting ownership-based RO configurations, this study provides insights into how ownership types, i.e. family firms and non-family firms, affect RO in firms operating in complex and dynamic environments. These configurations explain how and why RO is arranged in a growth context. 

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  • 47.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Andersén, Jim
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    The management of resource orchestration in fast-growing owner-led companies2020In: IFERA 2020 Proceedings: Generations to Generations: Bridging Past and Future in Family Business / [ed] M. Concepción López-Fernández; José C. Casillas; Unai Arzubiaga; Josip Kotlar, IFERA Inc. , 2020, p. 186-186, article id 227Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The purpose of this paper is to understand the role of resource orchestration in rapidly growing owner-ledcompanies in dynamic environments. Based on a comparative case study of owner-led companies, the resource orchestration in a owner-led familyfirm is compared with an owner-led one. A large amount of archival data and interviews are used. By uncoveringthe resource management process, the findings indicate a difference in focus between the owner-led familyfirm and the owner-led firm. The resource orchestration in the family firm focuses to a greater extent on therecruitment of new staff, the incorporation and the control of “right” values and norms. On the other hand, theowner-led business puts a higher focus on performance metrics and the documented coordination of teams andcustomers. By revealing the management role in a dynamic industry, the present study criticizes and extendsgeneral findings of the resource orchestration literature.

  • 48.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Andersén, Jim
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Nordqvist, Mattias
    Jönköping International Business School - JIBS .
    Rapid growth of founder-led companies: the role of resource orchestration2019Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the role of resource orchestration in rapidly growing founder-led companies.  

    Design/methodology/approach – Based on a comparative case study of founder-led companies, the resource orchestration in a founder-led family firm is compared with a founder-led one. To comprehend the complexity of resource orchestration, a large amount of archival data and interviews are used. By using data derived from a period of ten years, the present study has a longitudinal approach.

    Findings – By uncovering the resource management process, the findings indicate a difference in focus between the founder-led family firm and the founder-led firm. The resource orchestration in the family firm focuses to a greater extent on the early stages of the resource management process, i.e. the recruitment of new staff, the incorporation and the control of “right” values and norms. On the other hand, the founder-led business puts a higher focus on performance metrics and the documented coordination of teams and customers. However, both companies rely largely on self-organizing teams. By revealing the management role in a dynamic industry, the present study criticizes and extends general findings of the resource orchestration literature. Moreover, it contributes to the organizational culture and firm growth entrepreneurship literature.      

    Practical implications – The study shows how founder-based companies can grow successfully in a dynamic environment. Furthermore, it reveals how software companies’ resources can be managed and bundled in a successful manner.

    Originality/value – the present study conveys fine-grained insights in complex management processes operating in a dynamic environment.

  • 49.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Samuelsson, Joachim
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Enterprises for the Future Research Environment.
    Three stages of Entrepreneurial Orientation: The Founder’s role2020In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, ISSN 1355-2554, E-ISSN 1758-6534, Vol. 26, no 2, p. 285-306Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the development of the five dimensions ofentrepreneurial orientation (EO) over time by taking a founder’s perspective.Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on an in-depth single-case study. It combinessemi-structured interviews in the company with archival data, such as annual reports, press clips andinterviews in business magazines.Findings – The results indicate that the EO dimensions change from being personalized and directlysolution-oriented to being intangible value-creation-oriented.Originality/value – By suggesting ownership-based EO configurations, this study contributes insights intohow different ownership forms propel EO. These configurations – that is, personal, administrative based andintangible focused – show the impact of the EO dimensions and provide a systematic and theoreticalunderstanding of EO change over time.

  • 50.
    Ljungkvist, Torbjörn
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    Evansluong, Quang
    Department of Business Administration, Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics, Umeå University, Sweden ; Gothenburg Research Institute, Göteborgs universitet Handelshögskolan, Sweden ; College of Business and Management, VinUniversity, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
    Boers, Börje
    University of Skövde, School of Business. University of Skövde, Organising for Sustainable Development Research Environment.
    Family influences on entrepreneurial orientation in immigrant entrepreneurship2023In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, ISSN 1355-2554, E-ISSN 1758-6534, Vol. 29, no 11, p. 241-267Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose: This study explores how the family influences the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) process in immigrant businesses. Design/methodology/approach: The paper draws on inductive multiple-case studies using 34 in-depth interviews. This paper relies on three cases of immigrant entrepreneurs originating from Mexico and Colombia that established firms in Sweden. Findings: The results suggest that EO development trajectories vary in the presence of family roles (i.e. inspirers, backers and partners), resulting in the immigrant family business configurations of family-role-influenced proactiveness, risk-taking and innovation. Originality/value: The immigrant family configurations drive three EO-enabling scenarios: (1) home-country framing, (2) family backing and (3) transnational translating. Immigrant family dynamics facilitate the development of EO over time through reciprocal interaction processes across contexts. This study indicates that, through family dynamics, EO develops as mutually interactive processes between the immigrant entrepreneur's family in the home and host countries. 

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