ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the case study on Father Daughter Succession from Germany: Family Business Paradox and Gender Role Strain. The case study shows how a female German successor faced the fundamental paradox of family business and gender role strain during her succession process. They are discusses either in the family business research or marital and family therapy research. The chapter shows that withstanding the fundamental paradox of the family business system as well as overcoming traditional role convictions is a challenge to the father predecessor and the daughter successor. It also shows gender role-related convictions still influence succession processes by daughters in Germany. In Germany family businesses are an important part of the country's economy. The chapter demonstrates the family business paradox and also the impact of traditional role thinking. Further interviews with Martina's father and especially with Thomas Winter, the non-family CEO, would allow for enhanced insights into the father daughter communication and the inner logic of the succession process.
