Decoding succession: family communication patterns and the flow of knowledge in family businesses

Purpose Intergenerational knowledge transfer is essential for the long-term continuity of family-owned small businesses, yet research often treats it as a purely technical or individual learning process. This study aims to critically reframe this concept by integrating relational and communicative perspectives into the analysis of succession in family firms. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review, supported by bibliometric analysis, was conducted on peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus. This combined approach enabled both a comprehensive mapping of the knowledge base and a critical synthesis of conceptual trends. Findings The review identifies three main limitations in the existing literature: (1) conflation of knowledge transfer and knowledge sharing; (2) overemphasis on individual learning over relational processes and (3) weak theoretical grounding for explaining intergenerational knowledge movement. To address these gaps, the paper introduces family communication patterns theory as a novel analytical framework, shifting the focus from individual actors to the interactional dynamics of the family system. Originality/value The study advances theory by redefining knowledge transfer as a relational, communication-embedded process, offering new conceptual directions for understanding succession outcomes in family firms. The proposed framework enables more nuanced strategic interventions aimed at sustaining competitive advantage across generations.