Tradition vs. Transformation: How Socioemotional Wealth Drives Individual Responses to Change

Abstract

This qualitative study explores how socioemotional wealth (SEW) shapes individual responses to organizational change in family firms, using the ADKAR model and the FIRE framework (Focus, Intensity, Resilience). While traditional change models emphasize organizational-level transitions, this research focuses on the emotional and behavioral dynamics at the individual level within family business contexts. Based on in-depth interviews with 30 members of family firms across Central Europe, five key themes emerged: (1) awareness of change is shaped by attachment to family legacy; (2) desire to change is influenced by emotional intensity toward family values; (3) knowledge acquisition depends on trust and open communication; (4) ability to change is supported by emotional resilience and family-based support systems; and (5) reinforcement aligns with the preservation of SEW. The findings reveal SEW’s dual role as both a barrier and an enabler of change, offering fresh insights for managing transformation in family firms. This study contributes to change management theory by integrating behavioral and emotional dimensions, and it provides practical guidance for balancing tradition and innovation in family enterprises.