The Creation, Sharing and Transfer of Knowledge in Family Business

This present research aims at investigating how “knowledge-related human capital” can be accumulated, i.e. created, shared and transferred, in family business over time. “Knowledge-related human capital” is viewed as pure knowledge and skill which family members have gained and developed through education and experience within and outside the organization. Two wine-producing family firms from Switzerland and a liqueur family firm from Italy are part of this research. A tentative knowledge model is presented at the end of the study. It analyses factors responsible for the accumulation process of knowledge in family business across generations.