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Through the Eyes of the Family: A Collective Case Study of Family Business Consulting

Waisner, Cynthia L.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1344002058

Abstract Details

2012, Ph.D., Antioch University, Leadership and Change.
Interest in family businesses has increased over the last 50 years. Little empirical research, however, has been devoted specifically to the study of family business consulting. Various practitioners have offered their insights regarding approaches and tools, and a few empirical studies have offered the practitioners’ viewpoints regarding the practice area. The purpose of this study was to add to this small body of research by providing a view of family business consulting through the lens of the family business member. The chosen method of inquiry was collective case study, to allow for both contextual understanding and cross-case comparison. A total of nine participants across three cases were involved in the study. Several primary themes emerged from the study. To be considered a family business consultant by family members, a consultant needed to have entered the family business system through the family portal. The work of family business consultants was focused on inter-generational issues. Factors important to a successful consultation included chemistry with the family business leader, trust, values, and the involvement of non-business spouses. Finally, family members identified the maintenance of intact family member relationships as an important component of success in a family business consultation. Themes suggested by this study both supported and extended findings exploring family business consulting from the practitioner's point of view. The electronic version of this dissertation is at OhioLink ETD Center, www.ohiolink.edu/etd
Mitchell Kusy, PhD (Committee Chair)
Carol Baron, PhD (Committee Member)
Randel Carlock, PhD (Committee Member)
Keith Cross, PhD (Other)
194 p.
Behavioral Sciences; Business Administration; Business Community; Entrepreneurship; Families and Family Life; Management; Organization Theory; Organizational Behavior; Personal Relationships; Psychology
family business consulting; family enterprise; family firms; family-owned business; multiple case study; organization development; consultant; trust; values; consulting models; leadership; succession; intergenerational change; entrepreneurs

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Waisner, C. L. (2012). Through the Eyes of the Family: A Collective Case Study of Family Business Consulting [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1344002058

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Waisner, Cynthia. Through the Eyes of the Family: A Collective Case Study of Family Business Consulting. 2012. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1344002058.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Waisner, Cynthia. "Through the Eyes of the Family: A Collective Case Study of Family Business Consulting." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1344002058

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1344002058
3,930
© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.