Father-daughter succession in China: facilitators and challenges

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore factors facilitating and impeding succession from father to daughter in family businesses in China. Design/methodology/approach – Using explorative case study approach this study examines the experiences of four female successors at different stages of taking over family businesses. Findings – Contrary to previous studies on female succession, daughters in this study were groomed to run the family business, and encouraged to become involved in it at an early stage. Confucian values on parent-child relationships and family also encouraged daughters’ participation in the family business and in maintaining productive working relationships with their fathers. However, inheriting and maintaining a father’s Guanxi networks pose a daunting challenge for daughters, and daughters may need more time to establish their authority. Originality/value – While confined by the limited number of cases, this study contributes to the under-explored research area of father-daughter succession by highlighting some unique cultural, social and historical factors influencing female successors in the Chinese context.