Types of knowledge transferred in family business succession

This qualitative multiple case study aims to explore the key knowledge that is transferred by predecessors (parents) to successors (children) in a family company. This knowledge becomes a resource to create the family company's competitive advantage. The research sample was composed of 23 participants from 13 family companies. The data were obtained through in-depth, semistructured interviews. The data were analysed using content analysis and then processed using a visual map and temporal bracketing. This study used source triangulation and member checking to ensure validity and reliability. The results show that the majority of knowledge transferred by predecessors to successors is tacit knowledge. Knowledge transferred by predecessors to successors includes knowledge of the product, knowledge of company management, technical knowledge, and philosophical knowledge.