Determinants of peacebuilding actions in family MSMEs: the role of institutional pressures and socioemotional wealth

Family micro and small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) hold significant potential to contribute to reconciliation, reconstruction, and the transformation of territories affected by violence and armed conflict. However, understanding how the unique dynamics of these firms influence peacebuilding actions remains an emerging area of research. This study aims to examine what effect institutional pressures and the socioemotional wealth (SEW) of the owning family could have on the decisions of family MSMEs in terms of implementing peacebuilding actions. Hypotheses were developed based on arguments that integrate the SEW and institutional theory approaches, and these were tested through hierarchical regression analysis on a sample of 331 family MSMEs in Colombia. Findings confirm that both SEW and institutional pressures play a significant role in adopting these initiatives. Furthermore, subgroup analysis reveals that SEW levels influence which type of institutional pressure is more effective. These results help expand the explanatory framework of socioemotional wealth and institutional pressures concerning the implementation of peacebuilding actions in family MSMEs.