Exploring Family in Service Business Succession: Uncovering the Gap to Provide a Research Agenda

Abstract

This study represents the pioneering exploration of succession dynamics within family firms operating in the service industry by adopting a stewardship perspective. Surprisingly, there is a gap around research that considers the specificity of the service process in family firms. Considering the importance of both family firms and the service industry in international economies, the aim of this article is to explore the family influence in service business succession through a theoretical investigation inspired by stewardship perspective and provide a research agenda for future investigation.