This longitudinal study finds that spousal capital is an important resource for entrepreneurs sta... more This longitudinal study finds that spousal capital is an important resource for entrepreneurs starting a business because it has implications for business sustainability and couple relationship quality. Structural equation modeling supported a process whereby gender had an impact on spousal involvement in the business, which was positively associated with dedication to the business, leading to shorter break-even times, and higher couple relationship quality. Male entrepreneurs were more likely to have a spouse involved in the business compared to female entrepreneurs, which in part, may contribute to the gender gap in the success of new businesses. Study findings have implications for couples seeking to start a business as well as family educators working with such couples. This study is the first to empirically examine how entrepreneurs' spousal capital affects the mutual sustainability of the business and couple relationship over time. It incorporates the spousal capital definition used by Danes, Stafford, Haynes, and Amarapurkar (2008), which is the total human, social, and financial resources available to entrepreneurs via spouses. An example of spousal capital in the form of human capital is when spouses contribute their professional expertise to help operate the firm.
This study investigates family social capital “stock and flow” processes defined by social capita... more This study investigates family social capital “stock and flow” processes defined by social capital access and use at the family‐firm nexus over time. We examined direction of effects in associations between family functional strength and business‐related tension moderated by firm continuation status using National Family Business Panel data, grounded in the Sustainable Family Business Theory (SFBT). Families continuing ownership experienced greater family functional continuity, which was associated with less business‐related tension over time. Families discontinuing ownership exhibited less functional continuity with a family and business disengagement pattern. Regarding bridging of family capital resources, differences were found in human, social, and financial capital that were associated with family functional strength and business‐related tension for each ownership group. For both groups, however, making family a priority over firm was associated with stronger family functionality. Contributions include theoretical and methodological distinctions between family capital stocks and flows and support for SFBT theoretical propositions.
Family businesses are vital but understudied economic and social units. Previous family business ... more Family businesses are vital but understudied economic and social units. Previous family business research is limited relative to its definitions, sampling, and resulting empirical evidence. This paper presents an alternative methodological approach to the study of family businesses with the potential for allowing multiperspective and detailed analyses of the nature and internal dynamics of both the family and the business and the interaction between the two.
The purpose was to present a family capital typology based on Sustainable Family Business Theory ... more The purpose was to present a family capital typology based on Sustainable Family Business Theory II and to document its relative contribution to short-term firm achievements and long-term sustainability using National Family Business Survey panel data. Family capital was defined as total owning-family resources composed of human, social, and financial capital. Family capital significantly contributed to firm achievements and sustainability. In the short term, all family capital types explained 13.5% of gross revenue variance and 4% of owner’s success perception variance. In the long term, all family capital types explained 26.7% of gross revenue variance and 11.6% of owner’s success perception variance.
This chapter summarizes the literature at the intersection of family and business for households ... more This chapter summarizes the literature at the intersection of family and business for households owning a family business. While it may appear that these business-owning households earn higher income and accumulate more wealth, they face the challenges of managing the family/business interface. This chapter utilizes the Sustainable Family Business Model to carefully assesses two critically important dimensions: financial interface, where
This study examines whether emotional spousal support contributes to business owners' perceiv... more This study examines whether emotional spousal support contributes to business owners' perceived work—family balance while launching a family business. Hobfoll's Conservation of Resources theory of stress is applied to 109 family business owners and their spouses. Results from structural equation models support several hypotheses. First, reports of spousal support given are strongly related to reports of support received, suggesting genuine interpersonal transactions of support. Second, the effects of spousal support are confounded until a satisfaction-with-business-communication variable is introduced, revealing competing direct and indirect effects on work—family balance. Finally, business owner work hours have an additive negative effect on work—family balance, suggesting multiple means for maintaining work—family balance.
This longitudinal study finds that spousal capital is an important resource for entrepreneurs sta... more This longitudinal study finds that spousal capital is an important resource for entrepreneurs starting a business because it has implications for business sustainability and couple relationship quality. Structural equation modeling supported a process whereby gender had an impact on spousal involvement in the business, which was positively associated with dedication to the business, leading to shorter break-even times, and higher couple relationship quality. Male entrepreneurs were more likely to have a spouse involved in the business compared to female entrepreneurs, which in part, may contribute to the gender gap in the success of new businesses. Study findings have implications for couples seeking to start a business as well as family educators working with such couples. This study is the first to empirically examine how entrepreneurs' spousal capital affects the mutual sustainability of the business and couple relationship over time. It incorporates the spousal capital definition used by Danes, Stafford, Haynes, and Amarapurkar (2008), which is the total human, social, and financial resources available to entrepreneurs via spouses. An example of spousal capital in the form of human capital is when spouses contribute their professional expertise to help operate the firm.
This study investigates family social capital “stock and flow” processes defined by social capita... more This study investigates family social capital “stock and flow” processes defined by social capital access and use at the family‐firm nexus over time. We examined direction of effects in associations between family functional strength and business‐related tension moderated by firm continuation status using National Family Business Panel data, grounded in the Sustainable Family Business Theory (SFBT). Families continuing ownership experienced greater family functional continuity, which was associated with less business‐related tension over time. Families discontinuing ownership exhibited less functional continuity with a family and business disengagement pattern. Regarding bridging of family capital resources, differences were found in human, social, and financial capital that were associated with family functional strength and business‐related tension for each ownership group. For both groups, however, making family a priority over firm was associated with stronger family functionality. Contributions include theoretical and methodological distinctions between family capital stocks and flows and support for SFBT theoretical propositions.
Family businesses are vital but understudied economic and social units. Previous family business ... more Family businesses are vital but understudied economic and social units. Previous family business research is limited relative to its definitions, sampling, and resulting empirical evidence. This paper presents an alternative methodological approach to the study of family businesses with the potential for allowing multiperspective and detailed analyses of the nature and internal dynamics of both the family and the business and the interaction between the two.
The purpose was to present a family capital typology based on Sustainable Family Business Theory ... more The purpose was to present a family capital typology based on Sustainable Family Business Theory II and to document its relative contribution to short-term firm achievements and long-term sustainability using National Family Business Survey panel data. Family capital was defined as total owning-family resources composed of human, social, and financial capital. Family capital significantly contributed to firm achievements and sustainability. In the short term, all family capital types explained 13.5% of gross revenue variance and 4% of owner’s success perception variance. In the long term, all family capital types explained 26.7% of gross revenue variance and 11.6% of owner’s success perception variance.
This chapter summarizes the literature at the intersection of family and business for households ... more This chapter summarizes the literature at the intersection of family and business for households owning a family business. While it may appear that these business-owning households earn higher income and accumulate more wealth, they face the challenges of managing the family/business interface. This chapter utilizes the Sustainable Family Business Model to carefully assesses two critically important dimensions: financial interface, where
This study examines whether emotional spousal support contributes to business owners' perceiv... more This study examines whether emotional spousal support contributes to business owners' perceived work—family balance while launching a family business. Hobfoll's Conservation of Resources theory of stress is applied to 109 family business owners and their spouses. Results from structural equation models support several hypotheses. First, reports of spousal support given are strongly related to reports of support received, suggesting genuine interpersonal transactions of support. Second, the effects of spousal support are confounded until a satisfaction-with-business-communication variable is introduced, revealing competing direct and indirect effects on work—family balance. Finally, business owner work hours have an additive negative effect on work—family balance, suggesting multiple means for maintaining work—family balance.
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Papers by Sharon Danes