Organisational Succession Institute
Advancing the study of succession, transition and continuity in founder-led and mission-driven organisations.
The Organisational Succession Institute (OSI) is a research-focused body dedicated to understanding how leadership, ownership and responsibility are transferred over time — and how organisations can preserve continuity while adapting to change.
About the Institute
The Organisational Succession Institute exists to make succession less opaque. We study how founders, families, boards and leadership teams navigate the transfer of authority and responsibility — and what helps organisations remain stable, coherent and effective as they change hands.
Our work sits at the intersection of organisational behaviour, psychology, governance, law and family enterprise research. We focus particularly on owner-led, multigenerational and mission-driven organisations, where identity, power and continuity are closely entwined.
OSI publishes working papers, case studies and conceptual frameworks intended for academics, practitioners, trustees and senior decision-makers who are grappling with real transitions.
Behavioural
How identity, motivation, fear, loyalty and conflict influence succession decisions and leadership transitions.
Structural
How governance, ownership structures, procedures and decision-making frameworks support or undermine continuity.
Relational
How families, leadership teams, boards and wider organisational networks manage trust, legitimacy and power during transition.
Research & Working Papers
OSI's publications are organised as a series of working papers and research notes. These explore the structural, psychological and relational dimensions of succession, as well as comparative case material and methodological reflections.
Working Paper No. 1
Introducing Organisational Succession Science
A foundational paper defining Organisational Succession Science as a field at the intersection of governance, psychology and organisational continuity.
In preparation (2025)Working Paper No. 2
To be announced
Future working papers will explore specific aspects of succession, transition and continuity in organisational contexts.
Coming soonWorking Paper No. 3
To be announced
Additional research outputs and case studies will be published as the Institute's work progresses.
Coming soonAll working papers are made available as open-access PDFs to support research and practice in organisational succession.
Founder & Governance
The Organisational Succession Institute was founded by Dean Steele, a doctoral researcher whose work spans business psychology, succession, strategic transformation and organisational continuity. Dean's background combines experience in law, estate and succession practice, and long-term work with founder-led organisations and charities.
The Institute will be governed by an independent board of trustees who provide oversight, safeguard the Institute's charitable purpose and help shape its long-term research agenda. Initial trustee appointments will be announced in due course.
OSI is an initiative within a broader body of work on succession and organisational continuity.
Contact & Updates
If you are an academic, practitioner or institution interested in organisational succession, collaboration or future research outputs, you can get in touch using the contact details below.
Email: contact@organisationalsuccession.institute
OSI will also publish occasional updates and working paper announcements. A subscription option will be added here in future.