The mediating effect of family business self-efficacy on parental support and succession intention relationship

Purpose Drawing on the social cognitive theory, this research examines the relationship of perceived parental support factors and the next-generation succession intention in the family business regarding the mediating effect of family business self-efficacy factors. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the structural equation modelling method to analyse 16,521 cases from the global university entrepreneurial students' spirit survey (GUESSS) 2018 project. Findings This study provides evidence that parental support can influence the family business self-efficacy of the next-generation members, leading to succession intention of the family business. However, having high self-efficacy towards non-family members does not necessarily increase next-generation members' intention to engage in family business succession. Research limitations/implications This research lacks information about the next-generation's perception of parental psychological control, which is needed to examine the model of next-generation engagement more comprehensively in the family business. Originality/value Attempting to complement the family business literature, this study provides evidence about the determinants of next-generation members' succession intention and extends prior discussions on family business self-efficacy.