On December 11th, the Chair of Family Business of the University of Valencia (CEFUV), by the hand of its director Alejandro Escribá, participated in the AINVEF Congress, organized by the Chair of Family Business of the Basque Country together with the Spanish Society of Family Business Researchers (SAFER). Alejandro Escribá presented to the attendees of the congress his latest work "The Role of Women in Processes in Family Businesses" developed together with Ana Botella and Patricia Gabaldón.

First, the idea of succession was introduced in the Family Business and its importance in achieving their durability, emphasizing the role that women play during this succession process.

This introduction gave way to the specification of the objectives set with the work, which is summarized in highlighting the potential role that women have in the ownership and corporate governance of Family Enterprises, making clear their influence both in the planning of succession processes and in the different governing bodies of companies.

"The presence of women in the bodies of ownership can promote succession plans"

With the exposure of the objectives to be followed, Alejandro showed the 3 hypotheses developed by the authors of the work:

1. The presence of women in the governing bodies increases the likelihood of having a succession plan in family businesses
2. The presence of second and subsequent generations managing or directing the company increases the likelihood of having a succession plan in family companies
3. The presence of second and later generations who run or own the company positively moderates the direct relationship between the presence of women in government structures and the likelihood of having a succession plan in Family Enterprises.

Following the hypothesis approach, Alejandro Escribá's participation in this year's AINVEF Congress ended with the presentation of the results and conclusions drawn from the work carried out, which were as follows:

• Women can play a special role in succession careers from within the governing and management bodies of the company, contributing to the promotion of a succession plan that promotes order and rationality in the process.
• The presence of women in the company's ownership bodies does not have a clear direct effect on the existence of a succession plan in the company, however, it becomes relevant when the interaction with the family generation that owns the company or is responsible for governing and managing the company enters the game.
• The presence of women in the ownership bodies can encourage succession plans that avoid possible clashes between potential candidates in different family branches.

The Family Business’ Chair of the University of Valencia (CEFUV), promoted by the Valencian Association of Entrepreneurs (AVE), the School of Entrepreneurs (EDEM), the Valencian Institute for the Family Business Study (IVEFA) and the Institute of the Family Business (IEF), and is currently sponsored by BANKIA and BROSETA ABOGADOS.