Managerial ability in founding-family firms: evidence from Indonesia

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of founding-family firms on managerial ability.

Design/methodology/approach

Founding-family firms are determined by founder and/or family involvement as block holder and as in the firm board. Managerial ability is estimated by data envelopment analysis. Research samples consist of 412 manufacturing firm-years listed in the Indonesian Stock Exchange. Analysis data use random-effect regression as the main analysis and Huber-White regression as an alternative analysis.

Findings

This research finds that founding-family firms have a negative effect on managerial ability. Further, the result shows that lower managerial ability occurred when founding-family firms led by founder and professional CEOs, when other family members involved in the ownership and the board have higher family ownership. It indicates that founding-family firms concern more about family interest, such as family reputation, rather than business needs and best management practice.

Research limitations/implications

Limitation of this research does not occur if the founding-family firms are managed by first, second, third, etc., family generation. Future research expected to consider family generation in founding-family firms management.

Practical implications

This research can be used by founding-family firms in Indonesia as consideration of management policy formulation that can improve managerial ability.

Originality/value

This research provides new evidence if founding-family firms promote lower managerial ability in emerging market such Indonesian market where family businesses are the root of private businesses which have a major contribution to economics.

Citation

Simamora, A.J. (2022), "Managerial ability in founding-family firms: evidence from Indonesia", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 71 No. 5, pp. 2031-2048. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-07-2020-0388