The Accumulation Process of Knowledge in Family Firms

Abstract

This article aims to investigate how ‘knowledge-related human capital’ can be accumulated, i.e. created, shared and transferred, in family business over time. ‘Knowledge-related human capital’ is considered to be a combination of pure knowledge and skill, which family and non-family members working in the family firm have gained and developed through education and experience. Two wine producing family firms from Switzerland and a liqueur family firm from Italy are part of this research. We quote the most significant answers given by the interviewees in order to enable the reader to gain a clear understanding of the issues discussed, reflect upon them, and build his own opinions about them. A tentative knowledge model is developed based upon the review of the literature and the three case studies. It analyses factors responsible for the accumulation process of knowledge in family business across generations.