Social Capital in the Family Business Literature: A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda

Abstract

Using a systematic literature review, we address the topic of social capital in family firms. Based on 69 studies, we analyze the main findings, sampling and methodologies, theoretical approaches, definitions, and measurements of social capital in family firms. We also present how social capital is used as a model variable and present a conceptual framework of social capital in family firms. Subsequently, we identify the research gaps and develop research questions for further research.

Resilience in Family Businesses: A Systematic Literature Review

“…H. Anderson & Lemken, 2023) as well as intensive discussions among the author team (see concept of communicative validity; Kvale, 1995). Based on best practice review articles in the family business context (e.g., Magrelli et al, 2022; Randolph, Alexander, et al, 2022; Stasa & Machek, 2022), we organized the literature according to the following elements across all articles: theoretical perspectives, definitional approaches of resilience in family business and its measurement, level of analysis, methodology, sample description and context, key findings, and future research suggestions. Initially, the first and second authors independently read all 87 articles to become familiar with the sample.…”

Family firm performance: the effects of organizational culture and organizational social capital

“…Campbell and Park, 2016;Mustakallio et al, 2002) and trust (Shi et al, 2015;Uhlaner et al, 2015). These different conceptualizations of bonding SC in family firms point to the existence of its multiple dimensions (Stasa and Machek, 2022). Consequently, in our study, we adopt Carr et al's (2011) definition of bonding SC as a multidimensional, second-order reflective construct, encompassing its structural, relational, and cognitive dimensions, which aligns with the social capital literature (Leana and Van Buren, 1999) and facilitates the examination of family firms from the social capital perspective (Carr et al, 2011).…”

“…Herrero and Hughes, 2019;Stanley and McDowell, 2013;Wu, 2008;Zahra, 2010). These varied perspectives on bridging SC indicate the presence of its structural, relational, and cognitive dimensions, as acknowledged by several family business authors (Stasa and Machek, 2022). In this context, the structural dimension of bridging SC pertains to the strength of external ties, the relational dimension relates to mutual trust and reciprocity with external contacts, and the cognitive dimension involves a sense of shared commitment and responsibility with outside contacts (Ansari et al, 2012).…”

“…When appropriately transferred and leveraged (Cisneros et al ., 2022), SC in family firms is believed to have predominantly positive effects, ultimately resulting in family firm performance (Herrero and Hughes, 2019). However, although there is substantial knowledge about the outcomes of SC in family firms (Stasa and Machek, 2022), our understanding of its determinants and of its mediating role in shaping firm performance is still limited, prompting recent authors to highlight the necessity of further investigating this role (e.g. AragónAmonarriz et al ., 2019).…”

“…An empirical examination of this hypothesis would address other two major gaps we identified. Firstly, it would shed light on the factors that influence the development of SC in family firms, whose knowledge has been limited in prior research (Stasa and Machek, 2022). Secondly, it would address the need to explore the heterogeneity among family firms (Miller and Le Breton-Miller, 2021) by examining how organizational culture can act as a differentiating factor between these firms, influencing their resources and actions, and ultimately, their performance.…”