The role of non-family executives in family businesses is under-researched in comparison with its importance. Reviewing the existing literature serves as a startingpoint for promoting future research. Based on a literature analysis, we develop a model for the interaction process between a family owner and a non-family executive. The main contributions for the non-family executive in family business literature are presented and structured following this interaction process. Finally, potential and unanswered questions help determine directions of future research.