Family firms generate many job opportunities and they are highly important to the economy (Astrachan & Shanker, 2003). Yet many family firms do not make it to the next generation. Thus, succession is a tricky issue. There may be many things that create resistance to the succession. An important aspect to consider is the socialization of the successor into the family business. During the socialization process the successor learns more about the business and its culture and gets increasingly involved in the firm (Iannarelli, 1992). Women face additional difficulties in the succession process and it has been found that they are not often considered as potential successors (Ibrahim et al., 2001). Hence, this thesis will take a female perspective to shed light upon the situation of women.

The purpose of this study is to explore how the successor may get socialized into the family business, together with the difficulties in the succession process and how these things may be handled, and also women’s situations in this.

This study is a qualitative study, which has taken the approach of a case study. Three semi-structured interviews have been carried out with family members from two generations who all have been active in the family business.

Some of the most important actions in the socialization process were: business talk at home, the opportunity of being together with the parents and watching them, work experiences within the company, and encouragement from socialization agents. The socialization process and the succession process are highly integrated and the effectiveness of the socialization will determines how well prepared the successor is in the succession process. The socialization process provides a great opportunity of giving the successor the necessary competence and accordingly the socialization process is of great importance for an effective and successful succession. That is, this study concludes that the socialization process influences the smoothness of the succession process. It is therefore important to create awareness about the socialization process. The owner’s reluctant in handing over the business may depend on the firm being integrated with the owner’s life. To overcome resistance it is important with understanding and mutual respect for each other. One should also try to find a new and exciting role which the predecessor can take on. If the phase where the predecessor and the successor work together is undertaken properly the succession will become smoother. Even though the difficulties for women in family businesses have diminished over the years there are still great differences between women’s and men’s situations. Women have to prove their competence and that they deserve their position.