ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how socio-cultural parameters shape both the societal and familial role of women in Switzerland, and analyzes the potential impact of these parameters on the process of father-daughter succession in a Swiss family business. It frames the relevant research within family business research (FBR) and provides a definition of the family firm. The chapter also focuses on the main dimensions of Swiss culture and their potential impact on the father-daughter succession process. As traditional gender roles are becoming blurred and the number of educated and ambitious women is increasing, the need for further investigation on the specific challenges and opportunities of female succession in family businesses becomes apparent. While socio-cultural dimensions or family culture might explain certain characteristics of the father-daughter succession process in family businesses, one should be careful assuming that the results are in any way applied to other family firms, and always take into consideration the specific conditions of the family firm studied.
