Dr John Lee Kean Yew

John Lee Kean Yew, was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Prior to completing his PhD at Asia-Europe Institute, University Malaya, he is a second generation of his own family business specializing in machinery upgrading and maintenance services. His research interests include entrepreneurial economics, innovation management, Chinese studies, Asian ethnicity and development studies. He has also earned a one year diploma in Buddhist studies affiliated with Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka. His recent research is about tacit knowledge innovation. In the previous research, he identified exceptional CFB cases wherein firms innovatively codified the tacit knowledge in Malaysia. Intergenerational succession is an essential part in the development of family businesses. However, there are many difficulties in the process. Three main viewpoints are discussed in recent research on intergenerational succession: power succession, authority succession and resources succession. Based on the third one, the tacit knowledge is an important factor in intergenerational succession, as well as the key to enhance competitive advantage of whole family businesses.