Family Business: management practices, growth and succession issues

Family businesses comprise the predominant form of enterprise around the world, yet, until now, few structured information is available on the unique and complex issues they face. This may be attributed to the fact that only in the past 20 years that researchers have started to study and understand the core fundamental idea: that family businesses differ critically from non-family business. In an attempt to explain the success of family business in the context of Kelantan, one of the north-eastern corner of Peninsula Malaysia, a state actively associated with small entrepreneurial belt of businesses, the question at the forefront is: What are the key factors which determine the successful continuity of family business across generations in Kelantan?This research identifies the key success factors by examining the management practices of these family businesses; determining the potential growth and development; and addressing the intergenerational-transition issues in family businesses. A total of 55 successors of family business responded to the survey and gave useful insights on their journey in preparation of heir, management activities, style and characteristics, relationship among family members and partners, business concerns and challenges, succession experience and current business performance. Descriptive and correlation analyses were done to compile and interpret findings. Overall, results refute the general postulation that selection of successor is based on birth rank, education background and gender and that authoritarian style dictates the management practices of such businesses. Puzzled findings from this study show that first generation owner selected their successor based on competencies and many successors, while in the presence of the founder or predecessor, enjoy full authority and freedom in managing their businesses. Participative, as opposed to authoritarian style is reported. Findings also conclude that family business performance are built upon the management activities, style and characteristics of business, relationship among family members and partners, succession experience, business concerns as well as challenges. Both theoretical and practical implications as well as avenues for future research are discussed