| The purpose of this Delphi research study was to seek consensus for those best practices and strategies that are seen as paramount for succession planning and business survival by executives from privately controlled organizations. The Delphi method was used as an investigative research approach to facilitate the development of consensus and a common reality regarding the subject of interest engaging expert panelists from the community of interest (Gibson & Miller, 1990; Linstone & Turoff, 1975). This research engaged 37 Delphi panel members, who participated in 3 sequential rounds of surveys that were administered through a custom secure website. From this research and analysis of the data the researcher was successful in identifying 21 best practices that were favorably rated by the Delphi panel members attaining consensus as to their importance and applicability for succession planning. From the discovery and ratification of these best practices, a decision framework was created to assist business leaders in improving business continuity and organizational longevity as they confront the complexities of leadership succession (Beazley, Boenisch, & Harden, 2002; Haveman & Khaire, 2004). |
