The speed of change in the competitive environment has driven firms to develop processes directed to change existing capabilities in order to adapt their organizations accordingly. This is captured in the concept of dynamic capabilities. We focus on a particular form of business organization that is the family firm. Specifically, we argue that knowledge integration (a dynamic capability through which different pieces of individual family members’ knowledge are recombined) guides the evolution of capabilities. Accordingly, we present a general framework showing factors which positively and negatively affect knowledge integration in family business. We conclude that only those family firms which are able to effectively integrate individual family members’ specialized knowledge will be successful in dynamic markets by changing their capabilities over time.
Knowledge Integration and Dynamic Organizational Adaptation in Family Firms
SALVATO, CARLO
2008
Abstract
The speed of change in the competitive environment has driven firms to develop processes directed to change existing capabilities in order to adapt their organizations accordingly. This is captured in the concept of dynamic capabilities. We focus on a particular form of business organization that is the family firm. Specifically, we argue that knowledge integration (a dynamic capability through which different pieces of individual family members’ knowledge are recombined) guides the evolution of capabilities. Accordingly, we present a general framework showing factors which positively and negatively affect knowledge integration in family business. We conclude that only those family firms which are able to effectively integrate individual family members’ specialized knowledge will be successful in dynamic markets by changing their capabilities over time.
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