Gender Difference in Socioemotional Wealth and Dynamic Capabilities in Family Businesses in Emerging Market

Family businesses make up an important part of global economic activity, operating under a single logic, driven not only by financial performance, but also by the preservation of socioemotional wealth (SEW). Parallel to this, academic attention has grown around gender in leadership, particularly the ways in which female leadership aligns with the affective and relational values emphasized by SEW. However, research remains limited on how gender differentially influences SEW configurations and dynamic capacity building, especially in emerging markets, where cultural and institutional variables can produce distinct organizational dynamics. This study addresses this research gap by empirically examining gender-based differences in SEW dimensions and strategic capabilities among family business leaders in the Dominican Republic. Among the results it is revealed that, while most gender-based differences are not statistically significant, a notable divergence emerges in the dimension of generational succession, where male leaders exhibit higher levels of orientation towards dynastic continuity. The findings suggest that both men and women exhibit comparable levels of SEW and strategic capabilities overall, however, nuanced variations point to the persistence of traditional gender roles in succession planning. In addition, women demonstrate slightly higher means in skills related to marketing and innovation, reflecting contemporary literature that highlights the strategic value of the socioemotional competencies most prevalent in female leadership styles. By integrating gender theory with SEW frameworks and dynamic capabilities, this study offers a novel contribution to family business literature. It invites us to delve into the moderating role of gender in emotionally driven organizational environments and highlights the potential competitive advantage of inclusive leadership models that align with the emotional fabric of family businesses.