Life Course Dynamics in American Entrepreneurial Families and their Effects on Business Development

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Family businesses still form the majority of German and American business populations. The corresponding entrepreneurial families are characterized by a specific structure forming a network of overlapping life courses that is in need for direct negotiations between the generations. In the light of a cultural context pronouncing independence and individuality, life course dynamics evolve that may have cushioning or fueling effects on the business development. Based on a study in Germany, this research project looks in comparative perspective at American entrepreneurial families. Interview material and business information on six families is secondarily analyzed via the Grounded Theory method. It is the object of this research project to develop a causal model of the triad between individual life events, familial life course dynamics, and the business development that allows for quantitative testing.