Socioemotional wealth and family firm performance: A meta-analytic integration

Abstract

We study conflicting arguments and empirical findings of the socioemotional wealth (SEW)-family firm performance relationship using meta-analysis. We add to the debate by questioning: First, how do major managerial decisions (strategic choices, corporate governance, and non-family stakeholder orientation) play a mediating role in the SEW performance link? Second, how do specific five SEW dimensions act as moderating variables in the SEW-performance link? We show a positive relationship between SEW and performance. Hence there is no evidence that the pursuit of family SEW occurs at the expense of financial utility. Furthermore, we find that major managerial decisions mediate the SEW-performance relation.