La empresa familiar en el contexto de la complejidad

Resumen

Taking the conceptions of the firm that stem from the contributions made by the resource-based view, the perspective based on intellectual capital, the complexity theory and the literature dedicated to the family firm as its reference, our paper uses a conceptual model to show the academics interested in these issues the potential offered by the intangibles which are present in this type of organisation when it comes to cope with the complexity phenomenon. According to this model, our conception of family firms depicts them as complex systems owning a set of intangibles that can serve as the basis for their dynamic capabilities. A proper management of those capabilities can facilitate the development of self-organisation processes that lead to innovations in different areas of the organization, which in turn will make it easier for the firm to adapt to a complex environment. In short, our suggestion is that the family firm should be managed with a view to boost self-organisation processes as a way to face complex environments like the current one.