Beyond organizational identification: The legitimization and robustness of family identification in the family firm

This study explores family firms using principles from Social Identity Theory. Based on a survey of 173 employees working in family firms, we examine the different effects that organizational identification and family identification have on the commitment and citizenship behaviors of family firm employees. Results indicate that family identification and organizational identification represent two different constructs that affect the behaviors of employees within family firms. In particular, family identification is positively related to commitment and citizenship behaviors. Results also indicate that this relationship is affected by membership in the owning family. Our study extends the domain of organizational identification as a construct and acknowledges the importance of considering both family and organizational identification when exploring the behaviors of employees within family firms. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed.