This study examined the effects of work and family conflict on work tension for
founders of family versus nonfamily businesses. Drawing on a model of conflict
between work and family roles, it was predicted that founders of family
businesses would experience significantly greater work tension from family–work
conflict than for founders of nonfamily businesses. Conversely, it was predicted
that work–family conflict would exert more negative effects on founders of
nonfamily businesses than for those running family businesses. Results from a
national (United States) sample of business founders supported these
predictions. Implications for the management of work and family conflict in
family versus nonfamily businesses are discussed.
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