The Idiosyncrasies of Family Firms in Relation to Organizational Identity

What makes family firms unique? Is it their products, locations, and traditions? Is it the employees who are closely associated with the company frequently for many years? Or is it the entrepreneurs, the owner-managers and their families who manage and shape a company over generations?
This dissertation, therefore, focusses on the exploration of the idiosyncrasies of family firms, by introducing the concept of identity dynamics and the reciprocal influence of culture and image. In addition to a substantial literature review on organizational identity, this dissertation scientifically examines and evaluates, in particular, the brand identity of family businesses, the particularities of employee satisfaction and the typical characteristics of family firms in terms of the socio-emotional wealth. Overall, the scientific findings of this dissertation contribute to a better understanding of the various forms of family firms.