La gestione del rischio nelle aziende familiari: un’analisi bibliometrica della letteratura

This research paper (1) aims to provide a comprehensive and updated overview of the academic state-of-the-art regarding risk management in family businesses, while also identifying future research directions that could serve as valuable resources for scholars, policymakers, and business practitioners. Family businesses play a fundamental role in the global economy, representing a significant share of businesses worldwide, yet they are often characterized by unique challenges related to governance, succession, and financial stability. A key aspect that remains underexplored is how these businesses manage risks effectively and whether their risk management approaches differ from those of non-family firms. Addressing this gap, the study adopts a rigorous methodological approach that combines bibliometric analysis with a manual review of existing literature. Data were systematically gathered from Scopus and Web of Science databases, ensuring a robust and representative sample of scholarly contributions to the field. The findings highlight that, despite their economic and social significance, family businesses frequently lack structured and systematic risk management practices, which leaves them exposed to substantial financial, operational, and reputational vulnerabilities. While academic interest in this topic has been increasing over the past decade, the study reveals that much of the existing literature remains fragmented, with limited cross-country comparative analyses and insufficient empirical research using quantitative methodologies. This study underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach, particularly in examining both formal and informal risk management strategies and their interplay with governance structures, leadership styles, and the socioemotional wealth perspective that often characterizes family firms. One of the key contributions of this research is its ability to map the intellectual structure of the existing body of knowledge, identifying major research trends, influential studies, and gaps that need to be addressed in future inquiries. This research is original in its scope and approach in using a bibliometric analysis combined with a manual review of risk management in the context of family enterprises. By integrating performance analysis with science mapping techniques, the study contributes not only to advancing academic knowledge but also to offering practical recommendations for business owners, consultants, and policymakers who seek to improve risk management practices in family firms. Despite its contributions, the study acknowledges certain limitations that should be considered when interpreting the findings. The research relies exclusively on two databases which may not capture all relevant studies, particularly those published in languages other than English. Furthermore, the exclusion of non-peer-reviewed materials, such as book chapters and industry reports, may have limited the scope of the review. These constraints, however, present opportunities for future research to expand the methodological reach, incorporating alternative databases and exploring multilingual sources. By addressing these gaps, future studies can contribute to building a more holistic framework for risk management in family businesses, integrating insights from corporate governance, psychology, entrepreneurship, and finance.