Methodology and Family Business Studies : The Interpretive Approach

• This article introduces and discusses the interpretive approach: a methodology with high relevance to family business research. Family business research has grown over the last decade and there are increasing requests for deeper insights into the nature and workings of these organizations. Research on family business is different from research on other organizations in that it means researching a family, and the influence it exerts on the business this family owns and/or manage. Currently, family business research is dominated by traditional research methods. In this article we argue that these studies should be complemented by research approaches that are apt to capture the specific characteristics of family businesses. We suggest that the interpretive approach has this potential. The article sets out to discuss central issues, choices, requirements and implications for family business scholars engaged in interpretive research. Our belief is that such research provides insights necessary for the development of the field of family business.

Nyckelord

Family firms

Research methods

Interpretive research

Case study research

Values

Interactions

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

rap (ämneskategori)