Commentary and Extension: Moderating the Outcome of Identity Confirmation in Family Firms

In this commentary, I provide suggestions for further refining the way we view and apply the identity confirmation concept to family businesses. I distinguish different family types, such as the core family, the extended family, the patchwork family, and the multigenerational kinship family. In addition, I concentrate on crucial life cycle points in the sense that a business family stays and works together usually much longer than any other work–related group. From a dynamic perspective, certain opportunities and risks in applying the identity confirmation concept become obvious for families in family businesses. Different moderating variables might distinguish whether identity confirmation results in positive or negative outcomes. These moderators point to important future research projects in the area of family business.