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Mastering Digital Transformation: '4E Lessons' from Leading Multigenerational Family Firms.

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Title: Mastering Digital Transformation: '4E Lessons' from Leading Multigenerational Family Firms.
Authors: Mismetti, Marco (AUTHOR) marco.mismetti@hhs.se, Appleton, Samuel Wayne (AUTHOR) samuel.appleton@unibg.it, Rondi, Emanuela (AUTHOR) emanuela.rondi@polimi.it, De Massis, Alfredo (AUTHOR) alfredo.demassis@unich.it
Source: Research Technology Management. May/Jun2026, Vol. 69 Issue 3, p24-36. 13p.
Subjects: Digital transformation, Family-owned business enterprises, Technological innovations, Industry 4.0, Organizational governance, Competitive advantage in business, Intergenerational relations
Abstract: OVERVIEW: Relentless digital transformation is reshaping firm competitiveness, presenting both challenges and opportunities. This is especially true for multigenerational family firms, where complex intergenerational dynamics intensify the impact of transformation. This study builds upon a qualitative, empirical, and interdisciplinary research project that aimed to provide guidelines and best practices for digital transformation in family firms. Our findings reveal how these firms strategically leverage their experiences, governance structures, collaborative generations, and relational dynamics to turn potential constraints into drivers and benefit from transformation. Building on our empirical analysis, we contribute to both family business and digital transformation literature, and we extend the concept of innovation through tradition in the digital era. We present practical implications and actionable recommendations for family business leaders and practitioners. PRACTITIONER TAKEAWAYS: Digital transformation in multigenerational family firms presents both a technology challenge and an intergenerational governance challenge. Progress depends on aligning family and nonfamily leaders around a shared digital vision. Next-generation family members can become powerful drivers of Industry 4.0 adoption when given real responsibility and room to experiment, while the senior generation provides legitimacy, resources, and strategic direction. Family firms can leverage their tradition and stakeholder relationships into a competitive advantage for digital transformation by evolving culture and skills internally and building trust-based partnerships with customers, suppliers, and universities externally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Research Technology Management is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
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  Data: Mastering Digital Transformation: '4E Lessons' from Leading Multigenerational Family Firms.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mismetti%2C+Marco%22">Mismetti, Marco</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<i> marco.mismetti@hhs.se</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Appleton%2C+Samuel+Wayne%22">Appleton, Samuel Wayne</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<i> samuel.appleton@unibg.it</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rondi%2C+Emanuela%22">Rondi, Emanuela</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<i> emanuela.rondi@polimi.it</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22De+Massis%2C+Alfredo%22">De Massis, Alfredo</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<i> alfredo.demassis@unich.it</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Digital+transformation%22">Digital transformation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Family-owned+business+enterprises%22">Family-owned business enterprises</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technological+innovations%22">Technological innovations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Industry+4%2E0%22">Industry 4.0</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Organizational+governance%22">Organizational governance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Competitive+advantage+in+business%22">Competitive advantage in business</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intergenerational+relations%22">Intergenerational relations</searchLink>
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  Data: OVERVIEW: Relentless digital transformation is reshaping firm competitiveness, presenting both challenges and opportunities. This is especially true for multigenerational family firms, where complex intergenerational dynamics intensify the impact of transformation. This study builds upon a qualitative, empirical, and interdisciplinary research project that aimed to provide guidelines and best practices for digital transformation in family firms. Our findings reveal how these firms strategically leverage their experiences, governance structures, collaborative generations, and relational dynamics to turn potential constraints into drivers and benefit from transformation. Building on our empirical analysis, we contribute to both family business and digital transformation literature, and we extend the concept of innovation through tradition in the digital era. We present practical implications and actionable recommendations for family business leaders and practitioners. PRACTITIONER TAKEAWAYS: Digital transformation in multigenerational family firms presents both a technology challenge and an intergenerational governance challenge. Progress depends on aligning family and nonfamily leaders around a shared digital vision. Next-generation family members can become powerful drivers of Industry 4.0 adoption when given real responsibility and room to experiment, while the senior generation provides legitimacy, resources, and strategic direction. Family firms can leverage their tradition and stakeholder relationships into a competitive advantage for digital transformation by evolving culture and skills internally and building trust-based partnerships with customers, suppliers, and universities externally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Research Technology Management is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/08956308.2026.2631376
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        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Technological innovations
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      – SubjectFull: Industry 4.0
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      – SubjectFull: Competitive advantage in business
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      – TitleFull: Mastering Digital Transformation: '4E Lessons' from Leading Multigenerational Family Firms.
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              Text: May/Jun2026
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