The role of conscientiousness in the orchestration of entrepreneurial ecosystems: A case study of the Beretta family firm

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (EE) as a phenomenon that considers the interactions between specific elements in a proximity to one another often overlooks the role of family firms. Family firms, as the most ubiquitous form of organization in the world, offer peculiar resources and behaviours that impact their surrounding elements. Through a longitudinal revelatory qualitative case study on a long-standing family firm named Beretta, we discover the role of conscientiousness as a key mechanism that facilitates positive interactions between the family firm and their EE. Our findings show that in tandem with longevity and growth, conscientiousness provides a concern for the EE which influence the firm’s goals. Thereby, we advance knowledge at the intersection of the family firm and EE literatures. In addition, our research offers family firm conscientiousness as a key variable for practitioners and policy makers when considering EE policy as an untapped resource. This is timely given the increasing pressure for firms to be environmentally and socially sustainable.