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From tradition to transformation: how open-minded thinking enables digital change in family-owned manufacturing businesses

Sandra Matarneh et al.

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management2026https://doi.org/10.1108/jmtm-06-2025-0481article
AJG 1ABDC B
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Purpose Family-owned manufacturing businesses (F-OMBs) often stick to traditional practices, resisting new technologies, which hinders descendant entrepreneurs' digital transformation efforts. How descendant entrepreneurs interpret conflicting evidence, perspectives and opinions, and their adaptability (active open-minded thinking) remains unanswered. This research examines the ways in which open-minded thinking promotes digital transformation through AI self-competency and Industry 5.0 (I-5.0) capabilities, taking into account the impact of risk proclivity and technology turbulence. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was carried out to gather data from 279 descendant entrepreneurs serving as chairpersons or directors of F-OMB in Malaysia. PLS-SEM was utilized for analysis. Findings The results reveal that actively open-minded thinking, risk proclivity and AI self-competency are positively associated with the digital transformation of F-OMB, while technology turbulence has a negative association. Moreover, AI self-competency and I-5.0 capabilities mediate between actively open-minded thinking and digital transformation. Descendant entrepreneurs' risk proclivity positively moderates the relationship between actively open-minded thinking and digital capabilities (AI self-competency and I-5.0 capabilities). Technology turbulence does not moderate the relationship between AI self-competency and digital transformation, but negatively moderates the relationship between I- 5.0 capabilities and digital transformation. Originality/value Anchored on the knowledge-based view theory, this study provides novel empirical evidence by investigating the mediating mechanisms of (AI self-competency and I- 5.0 capabilities) between actively open-minded thinking and digital transformation, and the boundary conditions of risk proclivity and technology turbulence in the context of F-OMB.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/jmtm-06-2025-0481

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@article{sandra2026,
  title        = {{From tradition to transformation: how open-minded thinking enables digital change in family-owned manufacturing businesses}},
  author       = {Sandra Matarneh et al.},
  journal      = {Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/jmtm-06-2025-0481},
}

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.