STICK TO THE KNITTING? : LEGACY BEYOND THE ORIGINAL FAMILY BUSINESSES THROUGH THE LENS OF RHETORICAL HISTORY

Ge, Bingbing and Bauer, Florian and Pecis, Lara (2024) STICK TO THE KNITTING? : LEGACY BEYOND THE ORIGINAL FAMILY BUSINESSES THROUGH THE LENS OF RHETORICAL HISTORY. Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings, 2024 (1). ISSN 0065-0668

Abstract

Our research addresses the question of what happens to family businesses after family ownership is ceased. Based on business restructurings (and in particular acquisitions) and through the rhetorical history lens, we address the question through one of the most important managerial rhetoric – legacy with its agentic and co-constructive nature. We further develop an agenda for future research aimed at understanding different forms of legacy. Our research expands the boundary of family business research by highlighting its potential contribution to the business beyond its existence.