The tetralemma of the business family: A systemic approach to business-family dilemmas in research and practice
Publication type
Journal article with impact factorPublication Year
2020Journal
Journal of Organizational Change ManagementPublication Volume
33Publication Issue
2Publication Begin page
433Publication End page
446
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Purpose This conceptual article aims to contribute to the design of a theory of family-influenced firms by a framework for the management of business-family dilemmas. Design/methodology/approach It combines systemic principles with the tetralemma, a tool from ancient Indian logic that families and businesses can use to manage and reframe dilemmas without dissolving the dilemmatic tensions or blurring their boundaries. Findings In applying the tetralemma, the article offers a range of suggestions, such as observing business and family as two discrete, yet codependent, social systems and envisioning conceptual and methodological imports from codependency research and therapy into family business research and practice. Originality/value The article proposes a framework for the selective and flexible navigation of family-business tensions without dissolving them or blurring their boundaries.Keyword
Business Family, Family Business, Dilemmas, Tetralemma, Niklas Luhmann, Systems Theory, Socioemotional Wealth, Firms, Codependency, Familiness, Framework, Conflicts, RootsKnowledge Domain/Industry
People Management & Leadershipae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1108/JOCM-08-2019-0254
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