Entrepreneurial behavior of family firms in the Indian community: adoption of a technology platform as a moderator

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the generalizability of Daniela Weismeier-Sammer’s (2011) replication study on entrepreneurial behavior and extended the model by considering the adoption of a technology platform as a moderator in the Indian family entrepreneurship community. Design/methodology/approach: The earlier replication study was conducted in Austria, and this one has been conducted in India with 372 respondents of Indian family firms. The study has used the structural equation modeling technique for analysis purposes. The study has also used multi-group analysis for understanding the moderator impact. Findings: Willingness to change, generational involvement, perceived technological opportunities and corporate entrepreneurship for the Indian family business community, along with strategic planning, as a moderating factor, formed the earlier model. In the context of strategic planning, this study observes a similarity, but due to the consideration of the additional moderator, the role of generational involvement has become insignificant. Research limitations/implications: This study adds value to the overall body of literature on the family business community, digital entrepreneurship and technology adoption in the family business community. The study provides valuable inputs on the digital entrepreneurship and family business firms which could be used by entrepreneurs, policymakers and practitioners for different purposes. The sample size is small and India specific so the proposed model cannot be generalizable. Originality/value: This study has used replication and validation techniques in the digital entrepreneurship community and new venture creation in the Indian context. Very few studies have explored the digital entrepreneurship phenomenon in the Indian family business community context. Also, the use of adoption of technology platform as a moderator enhances the model from the earlier study. Thus, this study is deemed to be a unique research study.