How do owners shape strategic decisions and influence their firms? How does the composition and structure of the board of directors impact firm outcomes? How do family firms manage succession?
Boards of directors and firm owners are increasingly expected to address grand challenges and take active roles in their firms. Founders and business families have always played a central role in shaping strategies and integrating stakeholder demands into their decision making.
I explore these dynamics using large-scale datasets, textual analysis, and survey methods. My findings offer valuable insights for entrepreneurs, directors, and managers, supporting them in dealing with the complexities of corporate decision-making and fostering positive firm outcomes.
Publications
Menz, M.; Scheef, C. 2014. Chief strategy officers in top management teams: A contingency analysis. Strategic Management Journal, 35 (3), p. 461-471.
Drawing upon contingency theory, we analyze the antecedents and performance consequences of chief strategy officer (CSO) presence in top management teams (TMTs). We argue that strategic and structural complexity affects the decision to have a CSO in the TMT and its effect on firm performance. The results of a sample of S&P 500 firms over a five-year period reveal that diversification, acquisition activity, and TMT role interdependence are positively associated with CSO presence. However, we also find that the structural choice to have a CSO in the TMT does not significantly affect a firm’s financial performance. This first systematic analysis of CSO presence informs research on CSOs and contributes to the emerging literature on TMT structure.
Schwaninger, M.; Scheef, C. 2016. A test of the viable system model: theoretical claim vs. empirical evidence. Cybernetics and Systems, 47 (7), p. 544-569.
The Viable System Model by Stafford Beer embodies a theory about the preconditions of organizational viability. This theory has been discussed extensively by the academics and professionals of organizational cybernetics. The theoretical claim of the Viable System Model (VSM) is bold. It asserts to specify the necessary and sufficient preconditions for the viability of any organization. The empirical evidence, to date, amounts to a substantial corpus of case studies from applications that support the claim of the theory. The present contribution leads beyond the status quo. Its purpose is to test the theory empirically, on the grounds of a broad survey and pertinent quantitative analysis. The available data support the hypotheses and therewith corroborate the theory of the VSM. This implies that the VSM is a reliable orientation device for the diagnosis and design of organizations to strengthen their vitality, resilience, and development potential.
Conference best paper proceedings and best paper awards
Scheef, C., Zellweger, T. 2024. Succession processes in family firms: A new perspective. International Family Enterprise Research Academy (IFERA) Annual Meeting, Lisbon, Portugal. Best conference paper award.
Neckebrouck, J., Scheef, C., Elvira, M. 2024. Reputation at risk: The influence of stakeholder mobilization for family firms. 19th EIASM Workshop on Family Firm Management Research, Barcelona, Spain. Best conference paper award.
Fauchart, E., Sieger, P., Scheef, C., Zellweger, T. 2022. Make it or break it? Founder social identity, entrepreneurial orientation, and new ventures’ financial performance. Best Paper Proceedings of the 82th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Seattle, USA.
Scheef, C., Zellweger, T. 2020. Overlooked and undervalued: Predecessor CEOs as board chairs in family and nonfamily firms. 6th International Research Forum on Mittelstand, Mannheim, Germany. Best conference paper award.
Scheef, C.; Zellweger, T. 2019. Predecessor CEO retention as board chair in family and nonfamily firms. Best Paper Proceedings of the 79th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Boston, USA.
Scheef, C.; Menz, M. 2014. Do Strategists Matter? Sources and Consequences of Chief Strategy Officer’s Perceived Discretion. Best Paper Proceedings of the 72nd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Philadelphia, USA.
Scheef, C.; Schlager, T. 2013. Why do some managers foresee more than others? The psychological foundations of managerial myopia. Best Paper Proceedings of the 71st Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Orlando, USA.
Menz, M.; Scheef, C. 2012. Chief strategy officers in top management teams: A contingency analysis. Best Paper Proceedings of the 70th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Boston.
Scheef, C.; Schlager, T. 2012. The Process of Outstripping Myopia: A Cognitive-Emotional Framework on Long-term Trends. Best Paper Proceedings of the 70th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Boston, USA.
Selected conference contributions
Scheef, C., Chen, G. 2024. Is more always better? The cost of board committees. Strategic Management Society (SMS) Annual Conference, Istanbul, Turkey.
Neckebrouck, J., Scheef, C., Elvira, M. 2024. Reputation at risk: The influence of stakeholder mobilization for family firms. Strategic Management Society (SMS) Annual Conference, Istanbul, Turkey.
Redaschi, D., Frankenberger, K., Scheef, C. 2024. Exploring the Impact of Founder Social Identities on Sustainable Business Model Design. 84th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM), Chicago, USA.
Fauchart, E., Scheef, C., Sieger, P. 2024. How Do Founders’ Value Creation Goals Combine With Strategic Entrepreneurship To Achieve Success? 84th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM), Chicago, USA.
Scheef, C., Zellweger, T. 2024. Succession processes in family firms: A new perspective. International Family Enterprise Research Academy (IFERA) Annual Meeting, Lisbon, Portugal. Best conference paper award.
Scheef, C., Zellweger, T. 2023. Succession processes in family firms: A new perspective. 83rd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM), Boston, USA.
Scheef, C., Zellweger, T. 2023. Ownership matters! The choice of board chair after CEO successions. International Corporate Governance Society Conference, Madrid, Spain.
Redaschi, D., Frankenberger, K., Scheef, C. 2023. Does the Business Model Design Reflect the Founder Identity? An Empirical Investigation. Strategic Management Society (SMS) Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada.
Scheef, C., Zellweger, T., Amore, M., Taricco, P. 2022. PDW Bringing the owner back into strategic management. 82nd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM), Seattle, USA.
Fauchart, E., Sieger, P., Scheef, C., Zellweger, T. 2022. Make it or break it? Founder social identity, entrepreneurial orientation, and new ventures’ financial performance. 82nd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM), Seattle, USA.
Scheef, C., Zellweger, T. 2020. Overlooked and undervalued: Predecessor CEOs as board chairs in family and nonfamily firms. 6th International Research Forum on Mittelstand, Mannheim, Germany. Best conference paper award.
Work in progress
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