Family Business (BFT 323/3): Electronic Books

The papers in this volume consider the issues, problems, contexts or processes that make a family firm more entrepreneurial.

It is estimated that family businesses comprise between 60-90 % of all firms in Europe and the United States. This book makes an important contribution to the understanding of small family firms by bringing together a number of key themes in management/organisation studies. Reviewing a range of theoretical approaches, examining key literature and drawing from an international range of primary research, it also points to the future of research in this arena, and indicates how support and policy initiatives may be directed in the future.

The family business is a global phenomenon, and is particularly prominent in tourism and hospitality. In many cases, the family business was developed for the purpose of facilitating personal and family goals. For example, in rural areas, farmers can use tourism as a way to generate additional income, thereby remaining in the area and retaining family property. Running a bed and breakfast establishment is a way to mix family and work. Lifestyle, locational and autonomy motives are the norm, but profit and growth-oriented entrepreneurs are also found within family businesses. This book is the first academic treatment of family business issues within the tourism and hospitality industry. It provides comprehensive assessment of ownership, management and family-related concerns across the entire business and family life cycle. Many new international case studies of real family businesses are used to illustrate key points. The book will be of significant interest to researchers and students in tourism and hospitality, small business and entrepreneurship studies, as well as to owners and potential investors in family businesses.