The integration of the successor in unlisted French family businesses: the role of the predecessor.

Summary The literature review on family businesses highlights a series of conclusions concerning the lack of research on the integration of the successor, the post-succession phase and the course of action of the successor. In view of these findings, we have attempted in this research to provide elements of response concerning this phase of disengagement/commitment through the parent/child relationship and the role of the predecessor. This research makes it possible to put forward the determining role of the predecessor on the continuity of the family business and on the attitude of the successor. We propose four attitudes of the successor following his integration of the family business. These attitudes are late independence, unrestrained independence, forced conservatism and agreed conservatism. We also highlight factors that may block or facilitate the successor's integration into the unlisted French family business.