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CEO Personality: A Different Perspective on the Nonfamily Versus Family CEO Debate

Journal Contribution - Journal Article

Based on a unique, hand-collected data set, we examine the personality traits of nonfamily and family CEOs in privately held Belgian family firms using the Occupational Personality Questionnaire. We find significant differences between nonfamily and family CEOs with regard to nine personality traits: independent minded, democratic, data rational, behavioral, detail conscious, conscientious, relaxed, worrying, and trusting. The findings suggest a very balanced personality profile for nonfamily CEOs and a rather strong-willed personality for family CEOs. Moreover, while the results suggest that the personalities of nonfamily CEOs matter for firm performance, no such indications were revealed for family CEOs.
Journal: Family business review
ISSN: 0894-4865
Issue: 1
Volume: 32
Pages: 31 - 57
Publication year:2019
Keywords:nonfamily CEO, family CEO, personality, Occupational Personality Questionnaire, upper echelons theory
BOF-keylabel:yes
IOF-keylabel:yes
BOF-publication weight:10
CSS-citation score:2
Authors:International
Authors from:Higher Education
Accessibility:Open