Based on inductive reasoning—case evidence from Indian family business groups and the authors' experience with family businesses in India—this article explores the impact on succession performance of succession to a nonfamily professional manager as compared to a family member, commonly referred to as professionalization of management. An important distinction is drawn between family-owned and family managed businesses and family-owned and professionally managed businesses. Then, drawing from case studies on succession process in three Indian family business groups, the article puts forth five propositions pertaining to the impact of professionalization of management on succession performance. Several directions for further research are indicated.
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