Life Course Dynamics in American Entrepreneurial Families and their Effects on Business Continuity

• In Event: 420 - Research Poster Session. Communicating Sociology

Abstract

Family businesses still form the majority of the American business population. The corresponding entrepreneurial families are characterized by a specific structure forming a network of overlapping life courses that is in need for direct negotiations between the generations. In the light of a cultural context pronouncing independence and individuality, life course dynamics evolve that may have “cushioning” or “fueling” effects on the business development. The presented research Project looks at American entrepreneurial families. Interview material and business information on six families is secondarily analyzed via the Grounded Theory method. It is the object of this research project to develop a causal model of the triad between individual life events, familial life course dynamics, and the business development that allows for quantitative testing.

Author

• Isabell Kathrin Stamm, University of California-Berkeley