Conflict Management Strategies and the Digitalization of Family Firms: The Moderating Role of Generational Ownership Dispersion

Abstract

Family business research indicates that digital transformation may lead to substantial conflicts. However, little is known about how conflict management strategies address such conflicts. We thus mobilize conflict theory and empirically examine the impact of these strategies on the level of family business digitalization and whether such strategies are contingent on the number of ownership generations involved. To do so, we draw on a combination of a survey of 85 German family firms and in-depth interviews with 13 family business actors. Our quantitative results indicate that selected strategies can help reach higher levels of digitalization, but their effects are contingent on generational ownership dispersion. Additionally, our qualitative insights suggest that, in case of multiple active ownership generations, senior family generations feel less responsible for digitalization and pass it on to the younger generation. However, where ownership is concentrated in one generation, collaboration strategies seem crucial to prevent digitalization-related conflicts.

Stress Management in The Banking Industry of Pakistan: Emotion Regulation as A Moderator in Employee Conflict Behavior

“…Extant literature indicates that problem-solving behaviors, which are a combination of integrating and compromising styles, have a mitigating effect on job stress. Teams that adopt problemsolving strategies tend to have better communication, greater satisfaction, and lower stress levels (Bürgel & Hiebl, 2023). A study by Friedman et al (2000) found that problem-solving approaches are inversely related to levels of job stress, supporting the notion that cooperative behaviors can alleviate tension in the workplace.…”