Influence of Parenting Style on the Vision and Continuity of Family Business Successors: A Case Study of Selected Family Businesses in Lagos State

This study surveys the significance of parenting styles in shaping both the long-term vision and succession intentions of family businesses within the Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. Using a mixed-methods design, the research integrates quantitative responses from 120 structured questionnaires with qualitative data derived from semi-structured interviews involving founders and identified successors. The analysis reveals that an authoritative parenting approach characterized by supportive interactions and open communication is strongly associated with the presence of clear succession strategies (r = 0.658, p < 0.01). This suggests that nurturing relationships between parents and their children significantly enhances the readiness and commitment of successors. In contrast, authoritarian parenting, characterized by rigidity and limited dialogue, shows a negative association with successor involvement, suggesting that such approaches may hinder effective leadership transitions. Insights from the qualitative interviews further support these findings, revealing that when parents adopt an encouraging and empowering style, Successors frequently demonstrate a tendency to take ownership of the family business and remain motivated to sustain it. Overall, the findings highlight how parenting practices directly influence both the strategic continuity and generational sustainability of family enterprises in Lagos State.