This study examines how family governance structures-CEO identity, composition of the top management team, and family goal preferences-influence the environmental sustainability of large family businesses (n=243). The results paint a nuanced picture: family CEOs and high SEW scores promote environmental sustainability, while high proportion of family members in the TMT has an inhibiting effect. Theoretically, the study expands the upper-echelons perspective for family businesses by conceptualizing the dominant coalition as a configurative structure and thereby explaining existing contradictory findings regarding the environmental sustainability of family businesses. Practically, the results provide insights into how family businesses can promote sustainable strategies through a balance of value-based goal orientation, family control, and diversity.
The relationship between ESG and the financial performance of family firms (FF) is significantly moderated by contextual conditions. Building on Socioemotional Wealth (SEW) theory, this study examines to what extent the informal institutional environment-specifically national culture-as a contextual condition influences how ESG performance affects the financial performance of FF and non-FF. An analysis of 327 firm year observations from publicly listed companies across seven European emerging markets between 2018 and 2023 indicates that it is not the family status per se that is decisive, but rather its interaction with the cultural framework. National culture repre sents the "tipping point" at which SEW-driven ESG decisions in FF either remain costs or are trans lated into financial benefits. In particular, social performance proves to be especially sensitive to these contextual conditions. Thus, this study expands the understanding of under which contex tual conditions ESG in FFactually has a positive effect on financial performance.
Ethical and responsible leadership is widely regarded as a key approach for aligning entrepreneurial decision-making with societal and moral standards over the long term. While existing research has primarily examined normative foundations and individual traits, it remains insufficiently understood how ethical leadership can be sustainably embedded within organisations. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with executives of family-run four-and five-star hotels, this study identifies five central dimensions: longterm orientation, a values-based culture, stakeholder orientation, family influence, and an innovation-and participation-oriented implementation. By integrating socioemotional wealth (motivational dimension) and social capital theory (relational dimension), the study discusses how ethical leadership is anchored in family businesses.
Ethical and responsible leadership is widely regarded as a key approach for aligning entrepreneurial decision-making with societal and moral standards over the long term. While existing research has primarily examined normative foundations and individual traits, it remains insufficiently understood how ethical leadership can be sustainably embedded within organisations. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with executives of family-run four-and five-star hotels, this study identifies five central dimensions: longterm orientation, a values-based culture, stakeholder orientation, family influence, and an innovation-and participation-oriented implementation. By integrating socioemotional wealth (motivational dimension) and social capital theory (relational dimension), the study discusses how ethical leadership is anchored in family businesses.
German family firms are often regarded as particularly well positioned to contribute to ecological transformation due to their long-term orientation. Their intergenerational outlook suggests an affinity for environmental sustainability, while their typically conservative stance and risk aversion may inhibit transformative change. Empirically, however, it remains unclear whether family firms act as drivers of innovation or primarily adapt to developments initiated by others. Drawing on a design science research approach, this study examines the concrete contributions of German fami ly firms in the fields of environmental technologies, climate neutrality, circular economy practices, and the development ofa green skilled workforce. The findings indicate that family firms generate independent innovations within specific technological niches, yet more broadly function as stabili zing diffusion actors. A dichotomous classification of family firms as either pioneers or laggards is therefore not empirically supported. Instead, family firms provide context-dependent and speciali zed contributions to ecological transformation.
