Family firms as utopian organizations

Utopian communities and family firms share a fusion of family and work life. This article examines their similarities with regard to orga-nizational ideals, mechanisms of commitment, and the exercise of authority. Utopias are voluntary, value-based c o m m u n a l societies rooted in reli-gious, social, or po l i t i ca l-economic beliefs (Kanter, 1972). Such c o m m u-nities first appeared in the United States as early as 1680 and cont inue to arise today, a l though the greatest wave of utopia-bui lding in this country took place in the mid 1800s. T w o notable communi t i es of that era were Oneida (1848-1881) and A m a n a (1843-1933). E a c h originated as a reli-gious cult but eventually transformed itself into a business enterprise. Fami ly businesses also have been founded cont inuously since the early days of the country, a l though without an intense clustering of start-ups in any single era. T h i s paper is not about the fit of Utopias and family firms in history but rather concerns similarit ies between Utopian communi t ies and family businesses as organizations. At a very general level, Utopias and family firms share a fusion of family and work life. More specifically, there are notable similari t ies between Utopian communi t ies and family businesses with regard to organizat ional ideals, mechanisms of commitment, and the exercise of authority. Apprec ia t ing these s imilar i t ies, we believe, expands our understanding of family businesses and contributes to our capaci ty to manage and change family firms. Ideals According to Kanter (1972), Utopian communi t ies strive to attain various ideals. These ideals might be of a metaphysical character, such as unity of body and mind. O r the pursued ideals might be more earthly, such as the absence of conflict in everyday life. In general, there are four types of ideals explicit ly pursued by Utopian communi t ies that are also pursued in family businesses: positive social identity, perfectibility, harmony, and order