Thriving Leadership in Family Business Succession: A Systematic Review of Educational Strategies

This systematic review investigated educational factors that support thriving leadership development in family business succession within diverse cultural contexts. Leadership transitions in family-owned enterprises were often challenges from inadequate preparation, generational conflict, and the need for culturally responsive pedagogical approaches. Employing PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 45 peer-reviewed studies (20152025) from Scopus, ERIC, and JSTOR databases were systematically analyzed using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify recurring educational strategies contributing to sustainable leadership development. Data were extracted using a structured template capturing research objectives, methodologies, findings, and educational implications. All studies underwent rigorous quality assessment using eight criteria adapted from the Secretariat of the Education Council (2009). Thematic synthesis employing Thomas and Hardens three-stage approach yielded four core domains: (1) Learning-Centered Leadership Development (n = 10), emphasizing self-directed learning and reflective practices; (2) Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer (n = 11), involving mentorship programs, experiential learning, and professional networks; (3) Organizational Readiness and Structural Support (n = 12), focusing on succession planning, governance systems, and resource alignment; and (4) Socio-Cultural Context and External Influences (n = 12), highlighting family values, traditions, and cultural norms in leadership education. Findings indicated thriving leadership emerged from strategic alignment of psychological readiness, knowledge-sharing mechanisms, institutional structures, and culturally embedded practices. Western models stress formal educational systems and individual autonomy, while Asian, African, and Latin American contexts favor relational mentoring, communal learning approaches, and value-based education. This review contributes to educational leadership and family enterprise research by offering a comprehensive, culturally adaptive framework for developing next-generation leaders, providing practical implications for educators, consultants, and policymakers fostering intergenerational continuity through culturally informed educational strategies.