Construction of the Entrepreneurial Identity in the Family Business Context: A Cross-Cultural Study

Abstract

This study focuses on entrepreneurial identity constructions in the family business context through a cross-cultural lens. The study is interdisciplinary by nature drawing from and contributing to theories of identity, entrepreneurship, and family business. It aims at contributing to the added understanding of how family business entrepreneurs construe their entrepreneurial identities. The methodology of this study is based on the interpretive approach utilizing the principles of hermeneutics. The empirical materials for it were gathered through thematic research interviews from two different business cultural groups representing two different generations of family business entrepreneurs; ten family business members in Louisiana, USA and nine in Finland. The empirical materials were then analyzed interpretively through a cross-cultural lens resulting in interpretations of entrepreneurial identity constructs in the family business context. The interpretations were indicative of identity structures that are temporal, culturally embedded and situated. The value systems of the two groups seem fairly similar in building on honesty, hard work and family as values. The Louisianans appear to construct their entrepreneurial identities on portfolio entrepreneurship, money as value and networking skills expressed through a confident self-portrayal whereas the Finns appear to build theirs on being promoters of corporate entrepreneurship, having a tolerance for envy, and seeing time as a value expressed through a modest self-portrayal. Not all family business entrepreneurs perceive themselves as having an entrepreneurial identification. The study suggests that identity work can be valuable as a thinking tool for raised self-awareness for family business entrepreneurs as well as family business consultancy.