Prepared for what lies ahead in tourism
Stay up-to-date with current, independent statistics and information on tourism in the Alpine region.
Four types of communication characterize succession between change, continuity, autonomy and solidarity.
succession as a dynamic three-phase process for the handover of a company.
Communication skills are key to the survival of family businesses.
Co-evolutionary communication promotes successful and harmonious corporate development across generations.
Abstract of the study
This study examines the influence of intergenerational communication between predecessors and successors in family businesses and develops a typology of communication patterns in the succession process. Based on grounded theory, ten narrative family interviews were conducted and analyzed to identify relevant language and interaction patterns.
The analysis revealed four types of communication that range between continuity and change as well as between connectedness and autonomy. This typology is translated into a dynamic three-phase succession model: intergenerational transmission, independent acquisition and interdependent development of the family business legacy.The results are based on a small sample size (n=10) and focus exclusively on intra-family succession, which limits the generalizability and recommends further research, including on external successions.
Understanding these types of communication can help family businesses to avoid conflicts and strategically optimize succession. Communicative and reflective competence is a key factor for the survival of family businesses in this critical phase. The dynamic succession model offers experts well-founded insights and serves as a basis for advice and support during transition processes.
Key findings of this study
- The study identified four specific communication types (Authoritarian Protection, Ambivalent Enmeshment, Independent Reorientation and Co-evolutionary Development). These types vary between the dimensions of continuity/change and connectedness/autonomy.
- Succession is understood as a protracted process, not as a single event. The typology can be translated into a dynamic three-phase model: intergenerational transmission, independent acquisition and interdependent development of the family business legacy.
- Communication is a key factor for successful succession and dealing with conflicts within the family. Increasing communicative and reflexive competence is crucial for the survival of family businesses.
- It was found that there is no "ideal" communication strategy. However, the analysis showed a dynamic development of patterns towards co-evolutionary development over time.
- Understanding these communication types helps family businesses to recognize and avoid conflicts, which is a strategic advantage. This contributes to the stability and longevity of family businesses, which are pillars of the economy.