Differences in New Venture Creation Activities Among Next-Generation Business Family Members: A Social Identity Perspective

Drawing on social identity theory, we explore the social identities of next-generation founders from business families and how these shape their venture creation activities. We find that differences in the valence and interplay of family-internal—such as family expectations and legacy—and family-external identity considerations—including peer influences—shape founders’ self-conceptions, yielding three identity types: legacy preservers, independence seekers, and identity integrators. These guide key venture creation activities, including opportunity identification, business model development, resource mobilization, and strategic vision. This study contributes by developing next-generation founder identities, linking them to action around venture creation, and broadening the understanding of entrepreneurship beyond succession.