The distinctiveness of family firm intangibles

Abstract

In this paper we review the theoretical and empirical literature on the resource-based view in the context of family businesses using a framework of intangible resources. This approach allows us to structure the present research on value adding resources in family firms into four clearly distinctive groups, namely organizational culture, reputation, human capital, networks, and gives us furthermore the opportunity to look into the interactions of these intangible resources. We build on these relationships to offer a future research agenda that is focused on the creation of competitive advantage through the combination and recombination of these resources.