Entrepreneurial identity formation in family firms: the transgenerational impact of parents’ fear of failure

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Abstract

In this paper, we extend the understanding of transgenerational entrepreneurship by examining how parental influence shapes offspring’s entrepreneurial identity within family firms. Drawing on identity process theory, we posit that family business owners’ entrepreneurial fear of failure conveys identity meaning that affects their offspring’s perception of the parents’ entrepreneurial identity, which in turn influences the centrality of the offspring’s entrepreneurial identity. Additionally, we examine how the offspring’s work experience in the family business moderates this relationship. Analyzing data from 301 parent-offspring pairs in Iranian small- and medium-sized family businesses, we find empirical support for our research model. We discuss implications for both research and practice.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Journal of Small Business Management

First Page

311

Last Page

346

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