Research on the Influencing Factors of Intergenerational Transmission Intention of Chinese Family Business Owners: Evidence Based on Machine Learning Algorithms

Family business succession is critical to the growth and sustainability of family enterprises. The willingness of family business owners to engage in intergenerational inheritance is a prerequisite for successful succession. Using unstructured text analysis algorithms, four dimensions are calculated to measure the intergenerational inheritance willingness of family business owners: personal traits of the family business owner, business operation status, external environment of the family business, and family identity.This study examines the factors influencing intergenerational inheritance intentions among small and medium-sized family enterprises (SMEs) in Taizhou, Jiangsu Province, China. Employing a binary logistic regression model, this research analyzes survey data from 435 family business owners. Key findings reveal that entrepreneurial imprinting, life purposefulness, intergenerational interactions, and family culture are positively correlated with inheritance willingness. While factors such as decision-making power, perceived necessity, business conditions, market environment, and political connections demonstrate no significant impact. This study offers theoretical and practical insights into fostering intergenerational succession among family enterprises.