Internationalization and entrepreneurial orientation of family SMEs: The influence of the family character

•The effect of entrepreneurial orientation on the degree of internationalization varies by the family’s influence on the TMT.•Family members’ involvement in the TMT negatively affects the international entrepreneurship process.•The skills, knowledge and experience added by non-family managers may overcome this negative effect.•Generational involvement in the TMT also negatively affects to the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and internationalization.•Control and coordination problems may arise when different generations are involved in the TMT.