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BACKGROUND Poor nutritional quality of complementary foods often limits growth. Animal source foods, such as milk or meat, are often unaffordable. Local affordable alternatives are needed. OBJECTIVE We evaluate the efficacy of 2 newly developed, rice-based complementary food products: WinFood (WF) with small fish and edible spiders and WinFood-Lite (WF-L) fortified with small fish, against 2 existing fortified corn-soy blend products, CSB+ (purely plant based) and CSB++ (8% dried skimmed milk). DESIGN In total, 419 infants aged 6 mo were enrolled in this randomized, single-blinded study for 9 mo, designed primarily to assess increments in fat-free mass by a deuterium dilution technique and change in plasma ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor. Secondary endpoints were changes in anthropometric variables, including knee-heel length. Data were analyzed by the intention-to-treat approach. RESULTS There was no difference in fat-free mass increment in WF or WF-L compared with CSB+ [WF: +0.04 kg (95% CI: -0.20, 0.28 kg); WF-L: +0.14 kg (95% CI: -0.10, 0.38 kg)] or CSB++ [WF: -0.03 kg (95% CI: -0.27, 0.21 kg); WF-L: +0.07 kg (95% CI: -0.18, 0.31 kg)] and no effect on iron status. The 1.7-mm (95% CI: -0.1, 3.5 mm) greater increase in knee-heel length in WF-L than in CSB+ was not significant. CONCLUSIONS No difference was found between the locally produced products (WF and WF-L) and the CSBs. Micronutrient fortification may be necessary, and small fish may be an affordable alternative to milk to improve complementary foods. The dietary role of edible spiders needs to be further explored. This trial was registered at controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN19918531.
Stress-eating (eating more or more unhealthily in order to accommodate to stress), contributes to the development and maintenance of obesity. The effect of comprehensive weight loss interventions on changes in stress-eating as well as the contributing role of stress-eating on weight reduction has not been examined. The impact of the 8-week intensive phase of the Healthy Lifestyle Community Programme (HLCP, cohort 1) on emotional, external and restrained eating, as expressions of stress-eating was evaluated in a non-randomized controlled trial. Intervention: 14 seminars (twice per week, including practical units), complemented by stress-regulation and cooking workshops and coaching sessions empowering participants to change their behaviour towards a healthy plant-based diet (ad libitum), stress regulation, regular exercise and to focus on social support. Participants were recruited from the general population. In the intervention group, 91 participants (IG; age: 56 ± 10, 77% female) and in the control group, 52 (CG; age: 62 ± 14, 57% female) were enrolled. At baseline, participants of the IG reported higher levels of stress (9.7 ± 5.4 points [P] vs. 7.6 ± 6.2; p < 0.011), and of emotional eating (27.9 ± 9.4 vs. 20.0 ± 7.1; p < 0.001) and external eating (29.1 ± 4.9 vs. 25.5 ± 5.6; p < 0.001) than participants of the CG. Within 8 weeks, in the IG, scores of emotional eating (− 3.5 ± 5.4 P) and external eating significantly decreased (= − 2.0 ± 3.8 P), while restrained eating increased (2.7 ± 5.0 P; p for all < 0.001). Weight change was negatively correlated with change of external eating (R2 = 0.045; CC = − 0.285; p = 0.014), indicating that a greater weight change was associated with a smaller change of external eating. This is the first study to prospectively investigate the role of stress-eating on the weight reduction effect of comprehensive lifestyle interventions. Our data confirm that overweight is associated with EE and external eating and suggest that the HLCP is capable to reduce both, weight and stress-eating.
Background: Stress and cortisol dysregulation are linked to NCDs. Moreover, stress favours unhealthy lifestyle patterns, which increase the risk for NCDs. The role of the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) and the effect of lifestyle interventions on the same remain unclear. Methods: The impact of the intensive 8-week phase of the Healthy Lifestyle Community Programme (HLCP, cohort 1) on parameters of the CAR, ie cortisol values 0 (sample [S]1), 30), 45 and 60 minutes post-awakening, average peak, S1-peak delta and area under the increase curve (AUCI), and perceived stress levels (PSL) was evaluated in a non-randomized, controlled trial. Covariates of the CAR (eg sleep measures) and irregularities in sampling were assessed. The intervention focussed on stress management, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and social support. Participants were recruited from the general population. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Results: 97 participants (age: 56 ± 10 years; 71% female), with 68 in the intervention group (IG; age: 55 ± 8, 77% female) and 29 participants in the control group (CG; age: 59 ± 12, 59% female), were included in the analysis. The baseline characteristics of both groups were comparable, except participants of IG were younger. On average, the PSL at baseline was low in both groups (IG: 9.7 ± 5.4 points; CG: 8.5 ± 6.9 points; p = .165), but 22% (n = 15) in the IG and 20% (n = 6) in the CG reported a high PSL. Most participants reported irregularities in CAR sampling, eg interruption of sleep (IG: 80% CG: 81%). After 8 weeks, most CAR parameters and the PSL decreased in the IG and CG, resulting in no differences of change between the groups. In the IG only, a decrease of PSL was linked to an increase of CAR parameters, eg AUCI (correlation coefficient = −0.307; p = .017). Conclusion: The HLCP may potentially reduce PSL and change the CAR, but results cannot be clearly attributed to the programme. Methodological challenges and multiple confounders, limit suitability of the CAR in the context of lifestyle interventions. Other measures (eg hair-cortisol) may give further insights. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS); DRKS00018821; www.drks.de
Emotionally intelligent top management and high family firm performance: Evidence from Germany
(2022)
Executives in family firms are often confronted with emotionally loaded issues, in part due to the need to include the interests of the owning family. Given this context, we hypothesize how high family-firm performance is affected by the emotional intelligence (EI) of a family-based CEO and top-management team (TMT), in addition to the CEO's transformational leadership (TFL) and TMT's behavioral integration. Survey measures were taken from a random sample of 72 CEOs of German family firms and 245 members of their TMTs. We found that TMT behavioral integration mediates between CEO TFL and objective firm performance while CEO EI is significantly related to both CEO TFL and TMT EI. Implications are discussed for future research thereby suggesting an extension to upper-echelon theory.
Improving residential energy efficiency is widely recognized as one of the best strategies for reducing energy demand, combating climate change and increasing security of energy supply. However, progress has been slow to date due to a number of market and behavioural barriers that have not been adequately addressed by energy efficiency policies and programmes.
This study is based on updated findings of the European Futures for Energy Efficiency Project that responds to the EU Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2014-15 theme 'Secure, clean and efficient energy'. This article draws on five case studies from selected European countries - Finland, Italy, Hungary, Spain, and the UK - and evaluates recent energy efficiency developments in terms of indicators, private initiatives, and policy measures in the residential sector. Our analysis shows that the UK government has implemented a better range of policies, coupled with initiatives from the private sector, aimed at improving energy efficiency. However, its existing conditions appear to be more problematic than the other countries. On the other hand, the lack of effective and targeted policies in Finland resulted in increased energy consumption, while in Hungary, Spain and Italy some interesting initiatives, especially in terms of financial and fiscal incentives, have been found.
Experience shows that energy savings through energy efficiency measures are partly compensated by income growth, and partly by rebound effects. Therefore to be effective, efficiency measures have to be embedded in a concept of sufficiency which strives for limits and absolute reduction of energy consumption. While the sufficiency concept is not new, it only recently gained attention in the field of housing. This paper provides a basis for broader and more informed debates in policy and research on the potential of sufficiency considerations to contribute to the overall reduction of energy consumption in the residential sector. It recommends shifting the attention from energy consumption of buildings towards a concept of sustainable homes in which e.g. the size of the living area plays a crucial role. A further important aspect is the possibility to fulfil other basic needs like the provision with food, recreation and social contacts in the nearby environment. The paper describes first examples of housing projects guided by sufficiency criteria, depicts the potential roles of different actor groups and points towards some general policy recommendations.
Unsustainable consumption patterns of the North (or rather of the global affluent consumers class) have been identified by Agenda 21 as one of the key driving forces behind the unsustainable development. However, neither accounting based on the system of national accounts SNA nor household economics provide the proper instruments to assess the environmental impact of household decision making. Eco-efficiency assessments as familiar in the business sector provide no appropriate tool for households. As an alternative an environmental space based assessment scheme is suggested covering the major pressures on the environment caused by household decisions. The methodology is used twice: once to analyse the environmental relevance of the main activity clusters of household consumption and once to identify the dominant acts of consumption within each cluster. The latter provide the basis for deriving environmental performance indicators. A rough analysis of household influence potentials permits to identify housing, eating and mobility as the three priority fields for action for minimising the environmental impact of households. Extending the influence analysis actor matrixes are derived allocating influence and thus responsibility for environmental pressures to different groups of economic agents.
Background
Chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease and mortality. The objective of the study was to test the effect of a healthy lifestyle intervention on biomarkers of inflammation (among other risk markers).
Methods
We conducted a non-randomized controlled trial with mostly middle-aged and elderly participants from the general population in rural northwest Germany (intervention: n = 114; control: n = 87). The intervention consisted of a 1-year lifestyle programme focusing on diet (largely plant-based; strongest emphasis), physical activity, stress management, and social support. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was assessed at baseline, 10 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. Homocysteine (Hcy) was assessed at baseline, 10 weeks, and 1 year. Adiponectin (Apn) was assessed at baseline and 10 weeks. An exploratory analysis of these inflammatory markers assessing the between-group differences with ANCOVA was conducted.
Results
The 1-year trajectory of hs-CRP was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to control (between-group difference: -0.8 (95% CI -1.2, -0.3) mg/l; p = 0.001; adjusted for baseline). The 1-year trajectory of Hcy was non-significantly higher in the intervention compared to control (between-group difference: 0.2 (95% CI -0.3, 0.7) µmol/l; p = 0.439; adjusted for baseline). From baseline to 10 weeks, Apn decreased significantly more in the intervention group compared to control (between-group difference: -1.6 (95% CI -2.7, -0.5) µg/ml; p = 0.004; adjusted for baseline).
Conclusions
Our study shows that healthy lifestyle changes can lower hs-CRP and Apn levels and are unlikely to significantly affect Hcy levels within 1 year.
Trial registration
German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS; reference: DRKS00018775, registered 12 Sept 2019; retrospectively registered; www.drks.de).
Family firm performance through transformational CEO leadership and familiness-related team forces
(2024)
Purpose. The purpose of this study is to test the role of familiness-related team forces induced by the CEO of family firms. In particular, we report on the effects of the transformational leadership style of CEOs on their respective top-management team (TMT) and firm performance when viewed through a familiness lens.
Design/methodology/approach. Survey measures were taken from a snowballed
sample of 72 CEOs of German family firms as well as from 245 members of their TMTs. We tested the aggregated firm-level data with objective performance indicators of the firms they led.
Findings. Support was obtained for the three hypothesized team-force mediations and the four-path mediation model. The relationship between CEO’s transformational style and
high family-firm performance is found to be serially mediated by TMT cohesion, behavioral integration and efficacy. Together, these three types of collective forces are assumed to be the
familiness effect of a family-member CEO with a transformational leadership style.
Originality. With our model we quantitatively tested familiness-type forces vis-à-vis firm performance. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Family-Firm Transformational Leadership, Familiness and Performance: A Four-Path Mediation Model
(2019)
An important strength of family firms is the familiness of these firms. We examined how the transformational leadership style could strengthen firms’ performance levels through familiness. In this cross-sectional field study, survey measures were obtained from family CEOs of 72 German family firms, and the members of their non-family-based TMTs (245 TMT members). Support was obtained for a four-path mediation model, in which three distinct familiness-related team forces (TMT cohesion, behavioral integration, and efficacy) serve as mediators between CEO TFL and family-firm performance in a series. It is argued here that positive familiness results from a specific leadership style.
Familiness is considered one of the most valuable assets of family firms. But how familiness-related forces at the top management level of family firms may work their way into positive firm performance has not been addressed empirically before. The present field study couples upper-echelon theory with team-leadership theory and examines the effects of the transformational leadership style (TFL) of family- based CEOs in top management team (TMT) processes and on firm performance. Survey measures were gathered from 72 CEOs of German family firms as well as from 245 members of their TMTs. We tested the aggregated firm-level data, including objective firm-performance indicators of the 72 German family firms they led. Support was obtained for a four-path mediation model, in which three distinct familiness-related team forces (TMT cohesion, behavioral integration, and efficacy) serve as mediators between CEO TFL and family-firm performance in a series. With our model we focus on the under- researched area of familiness vis-à-vis family-firm performance. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed, and suggestions are offered for new avenues of family-firm familiness inquiry.
Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to examine the successful implementation of a digital work method named Building Information Modelling (BIM) and make recommendations to help organizations better test and implement innovative work approaches. Learning experiences not only provide insights into the building sector, but also into any organization interested in culture and effective response mechanisms during technological change.
Design/methodology/approach.
By applying a critical incident technique, BIM experts at one mid-sized case organization were interviewed to examine the learning experiences from converting implementation intentions into actions. The information from these interviews was used to formulate a number of practical recommendations.
Findings. The interviews outlined the various development opportunities that implementing new digital methods may offer for senior management and staff. Investing in small projects that work and the corresponding behavioral change required, together with regular project reviews, all help to build unique capabilities and to frame a culture that supports organizational development.
Originality/value. The discussion of the various benefits and conditions under which new technology implementation can improve organizational learning provides practitioners with insights into how effectively to convert change intentions into action.
Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are associated with high costs for healthcare systems. We evaluated changes in total costs, comprising direct and indirect costs, due to a 24-month non-randomized, controlled lifestyle intervention trial with six measurement time points aiming to improve the risk profile for NCDs. Overall, 187 individuals from the general population aged ≥18 years were assigned to either the intervention group (IG; n = 112), receiving a 10-week intensive lifestyle intervention focusing on a healthy, plant-based diet; physical activity; stress management; and community support, followed by a 22-month follow-up phase including monthly seminars, or a control group (CG; n = 75) without intervention. The complete data sets of 118 participants (IG: n = 79; CG: n = 39) were analyzed. At baseline, total costs per person amounted to 67.80 ± 69.17 EUR in the IG and 48.73 ± 54.41 EUR in the CG per week. The reduction in total costs was significantly greater in the IG compared to the CG after 10 weeks (p = 0.012) and 6 months (p = 0.004), whereas direct costs differed significantly after 10 weeks (p = 0.017), 6 months (p = 0.041) and 12 months (p = 0.012) between the groups. The HLCP-2 was able to reduce health-related economic costs, primarily due to the reduction in direct costs.
Common carotid intima-media thickness (ccIMT) progression is a risk marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD), whereas healthy lifestyle habits are associated with lower ccIMT. The objective of the present study was to test whether a healthy lifestyle intervention can beneficially affect ccIMT progression. A community-based non-randomised, controlled lifestyle intervention was conducted, focusing on a predominantly plant-based diet (strongest emphasis), physical activity, stress management and social health. Assessments of ccIMT were made at baseline, 6 months and 1 year. Participants had an average age of 57 years and were recruited from the general population in rural northwest Germany (intervention: n 114; control: n 87). From baseline to 1 year, mean ccIMT significantly increased in both the intervention (0⋅026 [95 % CI 0⋅012, 0⋅039] mm) and control group (0⋅045 [95 % CI 0⋅033, 0⋅056] mm). The 1-year trajectory of mean ccIMT was lower in the intervention group (P = 0⋅022; adjusted for baseline). In a subgroup analysis with participants with high baseline mean ccIMT (≥0⋅800 mm), mean ccIMT non-significantly decreased in the intervention group (−0⋅016 [95 % CI −0⋅050, 0⋅017] mm; n 18) and significantly increased in the control group (0⋅065 [95 % CI 0⋅033, 0⋅096] mm; n 12). In the subgroup, the 1-year trajectory of mean ccIMT was significantly lower in the intervention group (between-group difference: −0⋅051 [95 % CI −0⋅075, −0⋅027] mm; P < 0⋅001; adjusted for baseline). The results indicate that healthy lifestyle changes may beneficially affect ccIMT within 1 year, particularly if baseline ccIMT is high.
Introduction: Moving towards a more plant-based dietary pattern would likely be beneficial in terms of a variety of sustainability dimensions.
Methodology: We conducted a 2-year intervention study with six measurement time points (baseline, 10 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 1½ years, 2 years) in rural northwest Germany. The intervention consisted of a lifestyle programme, and dietary recommendations were to move towards a healthy, plant-based diet. The control group received no intervention. Diet quality was assessed with the healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI).
Results: In the intervention group (n = 67), the 2-year trajectory of hPDI was significantly higher compared to control (n = 39; p 0.001; between-group difference: 5.7 (95% CI 4.0, 7.3) food portions/day; adjusted for baseline). The 2-year trajectory of meat intake was significantly lower in the intervention group (n = 79) compared to control (n = 40; p 0.001; between-group difference: -0.7 (95% CI -0.9, -0.5) portions/day; adjusted for baseline).
Conclusion: Our study confirms that plant-based nutrition education in the general population is likely to result in at least modest dietary improvements in terms of general healthfulness and meat reduction.
Purpose.
Mergers & acquisitions (M&As) can be an effective way to expand into new markets or business opportunities. Yet, a considerable number of failed M&As can be attributed to disregarded human resource (HR) concerns. In particular, an organization’s leadership tends to hail the advantages of a merger or acquisition during the early stages, raising employees’ expectations (honeymoon effect). Many documented failures in such corporate transactions indicate organizational members’ declining satisfaction following a deal (hangover effect).
Design/methodology/approach. Drawing on in-depth interviews with senior M&A experts at a global big-four accountancy firm and focus group sessions with their respective clients, this study investigates in two cases the interplay between HR issues and M&A transactions and infers effective risk management actions.
Findings. A honeymoon hangover after a transaction may appear in organizations if HR issues are neglected. Study results provide notable implications for HR departments and HR professionals facing a merger or acquisition. These implications include (1) focusing on HR risks, (2) involving HR executives to manage the HR due diligence efforts, (3) setting up transition teams that communicate well, (4) creating policies for learning and knowledge sharing, (5) developing new competencies for the NewCo, (6) being sensitive to cultural differences and (7) considering legal aspects.
Originality/value. Although M&As have been much researched, relatively little has been written on practical managerial adaptation from a human resource perspective and its implications for organizational learning. This article helps address this imbalance by providing a people-oriented approach for effectively managing M&As from beginning to integration.
Research limitations/ implications. The two transactions studied revealed patterns that are important for successful change. However, we should not underestimate the individual perspective in M&As. Further studies with interview data directly from stakeholders are important to analyze further the relationships between HR due diligence, organizational learning, effective knowledge transfer, and culture. Due to our research approach, we cannot claim that the results can be generalizable to all major M&As. Further research is needed to measure the impact of the HR Due Diligence aspects outlined on M&A success.
Abstract This study extends previous research evaluating the association between the CHIP intervention, change in body weight, and change in psychological health. A randomized controlled health intervention study lasting 4 wk. was used with 348 participants from metropolitan Rockford, Illinois; ages ranged from 24 to 81 yr. Participants were assessed at baseline, 6 wk., and 6 mo. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and three selected psychosocial measures from the SF-36 Health Survey were used. Significantly greater decreases in Body Mass Index (BMI) occurred after 6 wk. and 6 mo. follow-up for the intervention group compared with the control group, with greater decreases for participants in the overweight and obese categories. Significantly greater improvements were observed in BDI scores, role-emotional and social functioning, and mental health throughout follow-up for the intervention group. The greater the decrease in BMI through 6 wk., the better the chance of improved BDI score, role-emotional score, social functioning score, and mental health score, with odds ratios of 1.3 to 1.9. Similar results occurred through 6 mo., except the mental health variable became nonsignificant. These results indicate that the CHIP intervention significantly improved psychological health for at least six months afterwards, in part through its influence on lowering BMI.
The objective of this paper is to identify those areas of consumption, in which private households can make significant contributions to environmental sustainability, and to present a transparent and comprehensive set of indicators for them. The analysis of the environmental impacts of households focuses on consumption clusters that permit to depict different life spheres of private households. Two criteria guided the investigation of the relevance of these clusters: · The significance of the consumption cluster, and · The potential influence of households. Resource consumption was chosen as simplified, but reliable representation of environmental pressure dynamics. Growing resource consumption goes together with growing environmental pressures and vice versa, although not necessarily proportionally. The key resources analysed are energy and material consumption, and land use. Based on this analysis, three priority fields for action by households were identified: construction and housing, food/nutrition and transport (in this order). All other consumption clusters can be considered environmentally marginal, providing combined saving potentials of less than 10% of the total resource consumption. Finally, from description of the respective roles of actors based on anecdotal evidence a semi-quantitative "actor matrix" is presented indicating the relative influence of different actors per consumption cluster.
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in industrialized countries and worldwide. The concentrations of serum total and LDL cholesterol as well as a higher intima media thickness of the common carotid artery (ccIMT) are associated with higher CVD risk. Measuring ccIMT makes it possible to already assess the atherosclerotic process at the subclinical stage. Methods: A two-year nonrandomized, controlled intervention study with 6 times of measurement (baseline; at 10 weeks; at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months). Participants of the intervention group (n = 112) took part in a ten-week intensive lifestyle program (including bi-weekly group sessions, workshops, and personal health coaching at baseline and at 10 weeks), followed by a less intensive phase (monthly lifestyle education group sessions). The control group (n = 87) did not take part in any program. In both groups, CVD-related parameters were assessed, including cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL), ccIMT (not assessed at 10 weeks), as well as health behavior (questionnaires). In between group means were compared with ANOVA using IBM SPSS 24. Results: After 10 weeks, the intervention group showed a reduction in total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol values compared to baseline (p < 0.01). In the control group, these parameters did not change. After 6 months, there was no statistically significant difference in ccIMT change between intervention and control. The 6-month blood results are not available
yet. Conclusion: Our lifestyle program led to clinically relevant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol. Continued follow-up will show whether the improvement of cholesterol levels will be maintained in the intervention group and whether ccIMT will differ between intervention and control.
Insights from change management consulting: Linking the hard and soft side of change with heuristics
(2015)
Background
Common carotid intima-media thickness (ccIMT) is an established risk marker for cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which are of high public health relevance. While a higher fruit intake is generally considered beneficial for cardiovascular health, recent studies have shown that a fruit intake of > 2 portions per day may be harmful. Therefore, we tested if there is an association between categories of fruit intake and mean ccIMT.
Methods
We conducted an exploratory, non-prespecified, cross-sectional analysis of baseline values of 167 mostly middle-aged participants of a controlled lifestyle intervention, recruited from the general population in rural northwest Germany (male: n = 58; female: n = 109). Fruit intake was classified into low (<1 portion of fruit/day), intermediate (1-2 portions of fruit/day), and high (>2 portions of fruit/day). Mean ccIMT was measured in accordance with the Mannheim consensus. Between-group differences in mean ccIMT were assessed with analysis of covariance.
Results
Mean age was 57.3 ± 0.7 years (mean ± SEM). Mean fruit intake was 1.6 ± 0.1 portions/day. Average mean ccIMT was 0.679 ± 0.010 mm. There was a significant difference in mean ccIMT between subjects with low (0.676 ± 0.020 mm; n = 50), intermediate (0.653 ± 0.014 mm; n = 72), and high fruit intake (0.724 ± 0.019 mm; n = 45; p = 0.016). But this difference was attenuated when adjusting for age, sex, and homocysteine (p = 0.418).
Conclusions
We found only a non-significant association between consuming >2 portions of fruit per day and ccIMT. Thus, our study could not confirm a negative effect of fruit intake on ccIMT. Age, sex, and homocysteine may confound this association.
Key messages
Current recommendations of 2 portions of fruit per day seem adequate and do not negatively influence carotid intima-media thickness.
Future studies should address confounding of the association between fruit intake and cardiovascular risk markers.
Is German family firm performance affected by CEO and TMT behavior and emotional intelligence?
(2019)
Purpose. Several studies of family firm failures have pointed to non-family members in leading positions as a reason. However, non-family members have often played a key role in family-firm longevity, while non-family executives’ involvement in family firms is increasing. These non-family executives who (co-)run family firms are thought to require an almost impossible set of behavioural qualities. The aim of this exploratory study is to find out how specific leader behaviours of effective family executives and non-family executives may differ.
Design/methodology/approach.
Based on Dulewicz and Higgs’ (2005) broad leadership frame, the authors draw attention to a large range of behaviours of family-firm executives. In-depth interviews were conducted with successful German executives, both family and non-family ones. Their answers had to contain specific behavioural examples.
Findings. More behavioural similarities than differences are shown between family- and non-family-based executives. Yet, the self-reflective communicative behavioural qualities of the non-family executives could balance a lack of such qualities among the family-based executives. Based on the three major differences – decision-making style, communication versatility and self-awareness – specific new research propositions are distilled about effective family firm leadership.
Originality/value. Practical suggestions for recruiting non-family executives are offered. Future quantitative longitudinal research on how to pair specific behavioural qualities of family and non-family based executives that optimise family-firm longevity is urgently needed.
The paper looks at NGOs activities in Sustainable Production and
Consumption and obstacles being faced. It identifies lessons for policymakers seeking to engage civil society and makes recommendations on how academics can co-operate more effectively with civil society. Insights are drawn from recent studies on stakeholder involvement in the international political process and a series of surveys and semi-structured interviews. The authors identify four challenges. Effort should (1) be planned more strategically, (2) link sustainable consumption to current priorities, (3) ensure better links between global and local and (4) NGOs have to better link to other interest groups.
Purpose. Experience suggests that a loss of trust may occur on both sides of the merger and acquisition (M&A) equation – acquirer and acquiree – though the latter is more generally considered the most affected. The purpose of this paper is to explore how a loss of trust during the M&A process in family firms can be avoided. An acquisition potentially triggers a loss of trust in the workplace and, as a result, a loss of productivity thereby causing the merged business to totter. Moreover, trust in a firm’s owner tends to be a key driver in merging family firms.
Design/methodology/approach. The authors investigated an expanding German family firm that recently acquired other family firms. They conducted in-depth interviews on all hierarchical levels in both the acquiring and the acquired firm. These cases are taken from a wider study of acquiring family firms completed in 2019.
Findings. Value congruence, integrity and openness are found to enhance trust during M&As, in particular, if the new owner of a merged enterprise is also a family entrepreneur. Under certain circumstances, the trust of employees in the acquired firm’s previous owner can be transferred to the new owner.
Originality/value. This study explores how specific circumstances of family firms impacts organizational trust in M&A processes. The developed framework helps family firms to use characteristics of their specific nature as an asset to maintain their employees’ organizational trust before, during and even after M&As.