Knowledge within Family Business Models:

Mexican Family Firm Case Studies

Fernando Sandoval-Arzaga, PhD

Graduate School of Business Administration and Leadership (EGADE) Zona Centro,
Tecnológico de Monterrey at Estado de México, Mexico
fsandoval@itesm.mx

Alberto Gimeno-Sandig, PhD

Department of Business Policy
ESADE – Ramon Llull University, Spain
alberto.gimeno@esade.edu

Maria Fonseca-Paredes, PhD

Graduate School of Business Administration and Leadership (EGADE) Zona Centro,
Tecnológico de Monterrey at Estado de México, Mexico
maria.fonseca@itesm.mx

Knowledge within Family Business Models:

 Mexican Family Firm Case Studies
Abstract
Purpose: The production and use of knowledge as a dynamic capacity in the context of
family business is a central issue, but not all family firms are the same, and not all
businesses have the same knowledge assets. Increasing our comprehension of different
types of knowledge in different types of family businesses can contribute to assuring the
continuity of family enterprising. In this regard the research question that stands behind
this paper is: How does knowledge reveal in different models of family businesses?
Design/methodology/approach: Using case study analysis, three Mexican family firms
were selected and analyzed based on the complexity and structure of firm and family.
Three methods were used to collect data: thorough in depth interviews, document
analysis and the FBK questionnaire.
Findings: The findings in the three case studies show the state of the knowledge assets,
in as to the level of abstraction and codification of the information, as well as the
competitive capacity that the organization has to diffuse itself. i All of this is related to
the typologies of family businesses: emperor, corporation and professionalii.
Consequently, it was possible to identify that in the first model type, emperor, the
principal knowledge assets were non-codified and concrete in content, as well as
difficult to diffuse. In the second model type, corporation, the principal knowledge
assets were codified, abstract and easy to diffuse. Finally, in the third model type,
professional, a mix of characteristics of knowledge was found. In this exploratory study
some practices have emerged regarding how those family firms manage their
knowledge assets.
Practical implications: This paper intends to be of great interest for academics and
researchers in the field of family business. Given the fact that managers and family
members identify their type of business model and its relationship to knowledge assets,
they would be able to plan and make decisions about how to harmonize the type of
knowledge that can enhance and promote continuity through generations.
Originality/value: This paper contributes to the field of family business and the role of
knowledge, which has not been amply explored in related literature. It also allows to
combining two relevant theories related to knowledge assets and family business model.
Finally, it presents empirical evidence about how knowledge is managed in Mexican
family businesses, which is virtually nonexistent in current literature.

Keywords: Knowledge, family business models, family firms resources, STEP Project
Paper Type – Case Study
i
Boisot, M. (1998). Knowledge Assets. New York: Oxford.
ii
Gimeno, A. (2009). Modelos de empresa familiar. Barcelona: Deusto.