Cohabiting Couples:  A Neglected Family Form that is Important for the Field of Family Business

W. Gibb Dyer; Steven Kofford; Brian J. Willoughby

doi:10.24310/ejfb.13.2.2023.16908

Authors

Gibb Dyer Marriott School of Business, Brigham Young University,
Steven Kofford Mississippi State University, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2894-7760
Brian J. Willoughby Brigham Young University,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24310/ejfb.13.2.2023.16908

Keywords:

Cohabiting couples, Married couples, Family capital, Family firm outcomes

Abstract

Cohabiting couples are a rapidly growing family form in the world today. However, this family form has not been accounted for in family business research. In this article, we examine the differences between cohabiting couples and married couples in terms of human capital, social capital, and financial capital. Moreover, we explore how these differences may impact outcomes for firms owned by cohabiting and married couples. Finally, we discuss how family business scholars can account for cohabiting couples in their research and how such research may help practitioners.

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