Decoding the dark sides of family business : a synthesis, and future research agenda

Abstract

Numerous contributions to family business recognize its positive impact on economic and social development. However, literature often overlooks the harmful aspects. To fill this void, we conduct a multidisciplinary systematic literature review to analyze the current state of the different dimensions of the dark sides of family business (FB) literature and synthesize the findings into a holistic framework. Our study employs a qualitative synthesis approach to propose a new unified definition of the dark side of FB, identify the antecedents, and analyze the consequences. Subsequently, we identify areas that require greater attention and outline a promising future agenda for advancing the literature on dark side of FB. © The Author(s) 2025.