Innovation in family firms: The Brittelstand

Purpose The Brittelstand are innovative, family-owned firms that offer national and international opportunities in the United Kingdom (UK). These fast-growing businesses customer-oriented proud of family ownership embeddedness within communities. While as likely to deploy open innovation models non-Brittelstand firms, these firms' engagement with customers regional markets ability benefit from this collaboration contrasts willingness engage innovation. Design/methodology/approach Using longitudinal data regression analysis on 13,876 24,286 observations over 2004–2020, authors develop test a theoretical framework Brittelstand. authors' model explains it. Findings results show less willing than collaborate universities, contrasting prior research distinguishing business model. who able domestic will outperform counterparts outputs. Research limitations/implications In line other studies, study is associated several limitations for further replicate and/or extends study. First, unbalanced panel fact some appear only once 2004–2020. allow enforce causality relationship examines dynamics Second, indicator extent mechanisms could be better explained measured, example, using scale instead binary variable knowledge across different types partners four geographical dimensions. Practical implications employ nationally customers. However, those decide more increase sales compared do not such collaborations? This an interesting unexpected finding, which means low cross-country cross-regional optimal beneficial Managers policymakers may use finding design re-design strategies managers regions UK. integrated view two drivers firm – local collaboration. Social by adopting markets. most dynamic fast growing new ideas Originality/value describes phenomenon investigates link between sourcing proximities contribute resource-based (RBV) literature theorizing empirically testing firms. also debate should overcome inertia heterogeneous external convert regional/national into strengths greater product explaining how why can achieve doing so, draw concept familiness embeddedness.