Title: Succession planning in minority ethnic family enterprises

Authors: Claire Seaman; Rita Welsh; Richard Bent

Addresses: Division of Business, Enterprise and Management, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh EH21 6UU, UK ' Division of Business, Enterprise and Management, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh EH21 6UU, UK ' Division of Business, Enterprise and Management, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh EH21 6UU, UK

Abstract: The paper presents interview findings derived from a sample of small Scottish businesses. Owners comments form case studies of succession planning and describe associated decision making processes of ownership, transfer and control, inter-generational relations and kinship networks. Timing, cultural knowledge and conflict resolution are seen as keys to successful succession. The units are located in the east of Scotland and are first/second generation South Asian owned enterprises. From this exploratory work, we question whether exiting formal models of support (based upon larger firms) can assist SME owner managers in planning their succession processes, and the paper highlights a need to embed support within government policy initiatives and delivery mechanism more appropriate to the needs of smaller companies.

Keywords: ethnic minorities; family businesses; family enterprises; family firms; succession planning; SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises; ethnic enterprises; ethnic entrepreneurship; government policy; support; Scotland; South Asia; decision making; ownership; transfer; control; inter-generational relations; kinship networks; timing; cultural knowledge; culture; conflict resolution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2013.057199

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2013 Vol.20 No.4, pp.402 - 419

Published online: 30 Apr 2014 *

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