A cultural extension of familiness : A case study on Spendrups Bryggeri AB

Abstract: The interest of family businesses and the research within the topic is gaining momentum.A relatively new concept “familiness” elaborates on how the owning family affectsthe firm. Previous studies within the field have put emphasis on the family and topmanagement, leaving a void of research in other levels of the organisation. The problem addressed in this thesis is how the unique characteristics of family firmscan be captured and how to take advantage of them. This is examined through an elaborationof existing research and an investigation of familiness in three different hierarchicallevels at Spendrups. By interpreting the quantitative tool F-PEC and apply a qualitativeapproach, where actual values are investigated, the extent of family influence at differenthierarchical levels as well as limitations to existing theories are examined. This thesis indicates that culture is a vital part of familiness that should be emphasisedmore. In order to capture familiness and to assimilate the family firm’s unique characteristics,culture alignment appears to be of importance. As an organisation grows, it becomesharder for the family’s core values to permeate the organisation, hence highlightingthe aspects of culture alignment and unification of the organisation. This thesis contributes to the research field of family firms and familiness. Based onSpendrups it also presents a concrete case of how familiness is perceived throughout theorganisation.