Pragmatic learning in family SMEs: a qualitative study of functional overload among family SME owner-managers

Querbach S., Kammerlander N., Singh J., Waldkirch M.

We develop and pinpoint the family owner managers’ “functional overload” as a major barrier to learning and employee empowerment, family-members’ support and customer feedback as critical resources in overcoming such functional overload.

Learning in organizations is well-recognized as a key determinant of innovation and success in competitive markets, and a rich literature examines learning mechanisms in large-sized and professionally-run organizations. Relatively little is known about the learning processes in family-run firms, most of whom are small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) led by a single family SME owner-manager connected in a family network. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate how family SME owner-managers engage in learning and how those learning processes are affected by family SME-specific characteristics.

Using pragmatic learning theory as an interpretive lens, this study conducts a qualitative multi-case study involving 61 interviews in family SMEs with family SME owner-managers, family members, employees and customers.

Our study provides novel insights into learning processes and innovation within family SMEs, outlines the double-edged involvement of family members, employees and customers for learning processes, and provides nuance to pragmatic learning theory.

Reference

• Querbach, S., Kammerlander, N., Singh, J., & Waldkirch, M.(*) (in press). Pragmatic learning in family SMEs: a qualitative study of functional overload among family SME owner-managers. Journal of Knowledge Management.
  
• Link: https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-08-2020-0657