The F-Pec Scale of Family Influence: Construction, Validation, and Further Implication for Theory
Posted: 17 Nov 2009
Date Written: 2005
Abstract
To provide a better operational definition of a family business, a scale is proposed to assess the extent and quality of family influence via the measurement of three major dimensions-- power, experience, and culture.Past research dilemmas regarding the definition of family business are discussed, with issues such as content, purpose, and form identified as problem areas.The limitations of previous research are discussed, including problems with measuring the influence on other businesses and issues understanding the complex system. To measure family influence, the Family Influence on Power, Experience, and Culture (F-PEC) scale is created.Each dimension of the scale is discussed, as is the significance of the self-assessment aspect of the scale. To determine the reliability and validity of the scale, questionnaires were sent in the summer 2002 to a random sample of 10,000 firm CEOs from the German Hoppenstedt databank -- 1,166 surveys were completed and returned. The results of the analysis support the validity and reliability of the F-PEC scale.The implications of the utilization of this scale are discussed.It is indicated that this new scale may provide useful information toward the creation of a theory of the family firm. (AKP)
Keywords: German Hoppenstedt databank, Family Influence on Power, Experience, & Culture Scale (F-PEC), Families, Measurement techniques, Organizational cultures, Family-work relations, Equity, Family firms, Succession, Measurements, Surveys
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