Abstract
We suppose that the heterogeneous innovative behavior of family firms can be explained by a different salience of socio-emotional wealth factors (SEW), characterizing young family managers with respect to senior ones. Based on this argument, the paper investigates whether some SEW factors are conceived in a different manner by junior and senior generations within the same family firm; and whether such an eventual evolution is related to the firm’ s willingness to innovate. We carry out a quantitative study in a research setting in which the renewal of the leadership is in progress. Results show that some differences in SEW factors exist: young family leaders show a lower emotional attachment as well as a lower renewal of family bonds through generations. Moreover, these factors are related to the willingness to innovate. Lastly, senior generations, still co-involved in the management, exert a moderating action in a likely complex interplay.