Penetrating the Cycle of Sustained Conflict

Abstract

Analysis of a family's chronic cycle of escalating and retreating from conflicts is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle, resolving conflicts, and improving relationships.

Private equity investment decisions in family firms: The role of human resources and agency costs

“…There can also be difficulties in implementing the PE firm's chosen strategy, mismanagement, leadership inability, and difficulties with exit (MacMillan et al, 1985). These problems are tricky to deal with, especially for an outsider, because sources of conflict in family firms are complex and rooted in history (Haynes and Usdin, 1997;Kaye, 1991). Thus, H4.…”

Farm Business-Owning Couples: Interrelationships among Business Tensions, Relationship Conflict Quality, and Spousal Satisfaction

“…Husbands and wives experience high tension in the area of making financial decisions, business goal decisions, transfer of farm, changing things in the farm operation, and problem solving (Danes & Amarapurkar, 2001). Tension and conflict management around these issues is a special concern to those within family businesses that wish to maintain the long-term viability of the business (Kaye, 2002). Although positive conflict can move the family business system toward its objectives and goals, sustained, unaddressed, or unresolved conflict can mire the system (Ward, 1997) and has further negative consequences for the emotional and economic well being of the individuals involved.…”

Life After Succession in the Family Business: Is It Really the End of Problems?

“…The family business culture exemplifies an environment in which the leader's personality and the corporate culture are closely linked. Succession is change, and this change precipitates the likelihood of a change in the basic cultural foundation of the company (Schein, 1983;Peay & Dyer, 1989;Kaye, 1991). The degree to which the culture is modified may hinge on the motivation for the succession, that is, planned retirement or unplanned sickness or the death of an older-generation member, as well as the length of time the succession process takes.…”