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Family Firms : The Most Common Types Of Businesses

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Family Firms are the most common types of businesses in the world. They are dynamic and play an important part in the world economy. The earliest forms of family business were farms. In the U.S., 90 percent of American businesses are family firms. These firms provide employment for half of the population and account for around half of the GDP. The composition, management and ownership of a family firm is a complex and complicated process that involves specialized knowledge and skills in order to operate effectively.

One definition of Family firms is, “Family firms are those in which multiple members of the same family are involved as major owners or managers, either contemporaneously or over time” (Miller, Le-Breton Miller, Lester, Canella, “Are Family Firms Really Superior Performers,” Journal of Corporate Finance, Vol. 13, Issue 5, 2007).

There have been academic studies on family businesses as an important part of the economy since the 1980s. Family businesses range in size from a two-people partnership to firms which are featured in Fortune500 companies. Family businesses are said to possess some advantages in comparison to their business counterparts. Family firms tend to focus on long term vision, the guarantee of quality and their respect and concern towards employees. However, family businesses face their own set of issues.

Family firms face great difficulties while searching for a family successor. However, if done rightly, it is more advantageous to the

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