Women’s role in family business: evolution and evidences from a European case study

This paper pursues two main aims: (1) to show the evolution of the women’s role in family business and to better understand the obstacles/drivers and possible solutions; and (2) to understand the impact of women on family firms considering several aspects such as their leadership styles, and impact on firm’s strategy, organization, managerialization and performance. In order to summarize the main obstacles and positive aspects concerning the women’s involvement in family business, we have applied the framework proposed by Martinez Jimenez (2009). This framework has been used because it helps to better understand which are the obstacles and drivers that impact on the women’s involvement in family business. The research method is based on the longitudinal analysis of a case study concerning a medium sized family firm operating in the service sector in Europe. The analysis of the case study has confirmed most of the obstacles/weakness and positive aspects/strengths highlighted by the literature. In the period of analysis, an evolution of the role of women among family generations had emerged, as well a less relevant role of obstacles with respect to strengths can be identified.