What Makes Sibling-Teams Work:  An Exploration of Factors Contributing to Sibling Teamwork among Filipino Family Businesses

The PhD in Leadership Studies Program - Business Leadership Track of the John Gokongwei School of Management invites all the members of the Loyola Schools community to the Thesis Defense of Ms. Pilar U. Tolentino (PhD in Leadership Studies candidate) on April 23, 2022 at 10:00 in the morning (online).

Ms. Tolentino’s thesis entitled, "What Makes Sibling-Teams Work:  An Exploration of Factors Contributing to Sibling Teamwork among Filipino Family Businesses" will be presented to Rev. Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J., Dr. Luis F. Dumlao, Mr. Jacinto C. Gavino, DPA and Dr. Jowett Cecilio F. Magsaysay. Her adviser is Dr. Queena N. Lee-Chua.

Abstract

The sibling generation is said to be a critical stage in the life of a family business. Family business scholars emphasize the importance of the siblings’ capacity to work as a team to successfully grow and transition the business to the next generation. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, this research is conducted on nine second-generation Filipino family businesses to determine the factors that contribute to building strong Filipino sibling-teams. This exploratory study reveals several factors at three categories: individual traits of the siblings, sibling dynamics, and sibling values. These factors impact how siblings go through and manage challenges at different stages/contexts – growing up years, entering the business, leadership and ownership succession, operating the business, relating with siblings not involved in the business, handling in-laws and children,  transitioning to the third generation, and retirement. Central to these Filipino family business sibling-teams is the importance and attention they give to their familial relationship in every aspect of their work relationship.  Valuing their relationship as siblings is fundamental in making these Filipino family business sibling-teams work.