Sustainability of Taiwanese SME Family Businesses in the Succession Decision-Making Agenda

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The article 'Sustainability in Taiwan's SME Family Businesses on Succession Decision-Making Agenda' addresses an interesting and important topic. However, the study needs some additions before publication.

The introduction should take into account the information in the abstract and elaborate a bit more. The presentation of the background is good, but there is a lack of emphasis on the purpose of the research in relation to the background presented. The novelty of the research (how it stands out from existing studies) should also be noted and the potential for application of the results obtained should be outlined.

The literature review refers to related theories, but does not indicate the literature gap (neither in the introduction nor in the review) that this article aims to fill. 

I believe that before presenting the impact factors (section 2.2), the research method should be presented to explain the need for their identification and further analysis.

The methodology is hinted at in the executive summary, but this is not sufficient. I suggest a separate 'methodology' section where the methods and steps of the paper are discussed, or (at a minimum) develop this thread in the introduction.

The subsequent presentation of the results looks good. Summaries of results supported by visualisations are an added value of these considerations.

A very interestingly led section 4 - Conclusion. I find the considerations in the proposed 4 dimensions valuable. However, there should be a stronger link between the considerations and suggestions for solutions and the research results obtained, highlighting the contribution of this article (its novelty and importance).

Limitation and future research are indicated at the end of the article. Limitations are an important aspect to be considered (in general) in the introduction or description of the methodology.

Literature used in the paper - current, relevant.

Author Response

Please refer the attachment. Thank you very much.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper refers to the problem of succession in small and medium family firms. The aim of the paper is to identify what’s the priority of influential factors for the leader’s decision-making of succession. I find the problem quite interesting and worth of investigating.

The paper consist of introduction, literature review, analysis and results, conclusion. The structure of the paper is proper.

Introduction present the main problem with justification.

The paper starts with literature review. Authors show the theoretical background of the problem. They also present the theoretical framework for four types of factors affecting the main researched issue.

I do not find any research hypothesis. However I find it difficult to advice what hypothesis might be formulated.

I find no methodology section. I believe it is neccessary to describe the whole process of research, esp. the aim of the research, how the research was planned, every step of the process, why those methods were implemented (what is their advantage), how the experts were chosen, who they are (academics or business people, how many of them were included in the team for Delphi method), how business people were chosen, why 15 business people were included in the research (DEMATEL method), etc.

The findings should be verified (validate) on successfful and unsuccessful succession cases (e.g confirmatory factor analysis) as the findings are based on subjective preception of incumbents and successors.

Additionally, I find several spelling mistake: 1) finical (should be financial) - Figure 2, C1; 2) title of Table 6 and 7: ources (???)

Author Response

Please kindly refer the attachment. Thank you very much for your comments.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The presented article deals with very interesting and topical issue. Family businesses play a very important role in the formation of the national business environment. The way they carry out their activity brings many new impulses and innovations that are applied by large companies. This synergy can consolidate the international relations and create a sustainable business.

From the methodological point of view, I have no specific comments. The combination of qualitative and quantitative research shows which factors can influence the success of an enterprise award. 

Author Response

Thank you very much for your comments.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

suggested additions have been analysed and applied sufficiently

Author Response

Thank you very much for your comments. I do more effore to revise my draft more carefully and resubmit the 3rd version of my manuscript. Please refer the paper. 

Reviewer 2 Report

Thank you for the correction. I think that the description of the methodology process is sufficient.

The findings should be verified (validated) on successful and unsuccessful succession cases (e.g confirmatory factor analysis) as the findings are based on the subjective perception of incumbents and successors.

 Additionally, I still find spelling mistakes: finical (should be financial) - Figure 2, C1

Author Response

Thank you very much for your comments. Please refer the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf