Measuring Socioemotional Wealth Using Content Analysis: A SEWi-Based Approach

Abstract

Socioemotional wealth (SEW) is a foundational construct in family business research; however, its empirical measurement remains limited by reliance on proxy variables and survey data. This study addresses these challenges by developing a computer-aided text analysis method to measure SEW using the SEWi framework. Our approach enables direct, scalable, and multidimensional assessment of SEW through organizational narratives. We detail the development and validation of the measure, demonstrating its reliability and construct validity. This method expands the methodological toolkit for family business scholars and enhances SEW measurement precision, offering a pragmatic solution for broader, comparative, and longitudinal research.

Keywords

socioemotional wealth family business content analysis SEWi CATA

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