An Investigation into the Underperformance of Family Run and Owned SMEs related to factors caused by Intergenerational Transfer: In the Context of Irish Retailers

Scott, Stephen (2014) An Investigation into the Underperformance of Family Run and Owned SMEs related to factors caused by Intergenerational Transfer: In the Context of Irish Retailers. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this thesis is to investigate whether the underperformance of family Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) is the result of the leadership and ownership succession to the younger generation. Methodology – Multiple case studies were used in order to obtain all the primary data. This data was collected by conducting seven personal interviews at five family run and owned SMEs. Findings – The study revealed that treating the succession process in an informal manner did not result in underperformance. It was also found that micro-sized and small-sized family businesses do not differ in terms of having to treat the succession process any differently. There were no findings to suggest that educational qualifications were a requirement to successfully run the family business but it was found that work experience gained outside of the family business in a similar industry was highly advantageous. A situation whereby a small family business had to accommodate all siblings with employment opportunities was seen as being very problematic along with having siblings as partial owners of a business in which they were not involved in the day to day running of. Conclusions – This study has invited other researchers to take a more holistic approach when undertaking future research by examining a greater number of family businesses which operate outside of the retail sector and which are also larger in size.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Performance Management H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Specific Industries > Retail Industry
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Science in Management
Depositing User:	Claire Wallnutt
Date Deposited:	22 Nov 2014 09:32
Last Modified:	22 Nov 2014 09:32
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/1822

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