Exploring cultural conservatism in Moroccan family businesses : implications for strategic behaviors and organizational dynamics

This paper explores the cultural conservatism of family businesses in Morocco and its implications for strategic and organizational behaviours. Drawing on the Gioia methodology, qualitative data were collected from twelve Moroccan family businesses representing diverse industries, sizes, generations, and locations. The findings reveal that cultural conservatism in Moroccan family businesses is characterized by a collective culture that promotes solidarity, internal coordination, and blurred boundaries between family and work. A culture of conformity is prevalent, leading to increased stability of relationships and a shared vision and values within family businesses. In addition, the culture of conservation emphasizes the protection of identity, preservation of tradition, and continuity of family control. These cultural characteristics shape the strategic decisions and behaviors of family businesses, contributing to their unique competitive advantage. This paper highlights the importance of balancing tradition with adaptation in achieving sustainable performance in family businesses. The findings offer valuable insights for practitioners and scholars interested in understanding the impact of cultural conservatism on family businesses in the Moroccan context. Further research is recommended to validate the findings quantitatively and explore the role of other stakeholders in family businesses.