Family businesses are defined as “businesses in which ownership and/or policymaking are dominated by members of an emotional kinship group” (Carsrud, 1994). They differ from other businesses in that ownership and/or control overlap with family membership (Lank, 1997), as all major operating decisions and plans for leadership succession are influenced by family members in management positions or on the board of directors (Handler, 1989a). Therefore, succession and succession planning are two very popular topics in the family research literature. However, the vast majority of this abundant literature deals with research topics from a “male” point of view, even though women have contributed and continue to contribute more and more in the family business world. Read More…