Advantages & Disadvantages: Family Business

Introduction

What is family business?

It is a type of business that is mainly owned and managed by a family.

Popular family business examples

Walmart

Hoshi Ryokan

An international retail company founded in the United States with branches in 24 countries all over the world.

A 46-generation old traditional inn in Japan that was founded in the year 718

Background information

Types

Family-owned businesses

Family-owned and managed businesses

Family-owned and led businesses

Structure

The business structure of family businesses is heavily influenced by emotion

Advantages

Disadvantages

Stability

Decreased Costs

Loyalty

Family Conflict

Succession Issues

Conclusion

Who should own/manage a family business?

Reccommendations

Since family businesses are heavily influenced by emotion, their staffs and owners are more likely to have strong loyalty and motivation compared to non-family businesses.

Family businesses are usually made to last for generations, encouraging long-term thinking.

Family staffs in family businesses are more likely to be willing to have lower pay to help the business long term.

The family business is owned by the family or a member of the family

The conflict between family members could be brought into the family business and create internal issues.

There are a lot of cases where the older generations are unwilling to let younger generations take over the family business

There are also a lot of cases where the younger generations do not have enough courage or motivation to continue the family business.

Family businesses are suitable for people who have good communication and long-term planning skills.

Family businesses should have regular communication meetings with the staff and owners.

This increases the unity that is essential for the family businesses to operate smoothly.

The family or a member of the family owns the majority of the business and has the choice to decide the objectives, methods, and policies of the business.

The family or a member of the family have ownership of most of the business, but also the power to influence the business’s direction, strategies, and plans by having one member of the family member be a part of the board of directors.