Title: Family firms and corporate culture: a case study from a Less Developed Country (LDC)

Authors: S.K. Herath, Anushaka Herath, Athambawa Abdul Azeez

Addresses: School of Business, Clark Atlanta University, James P. Brawley Drive, Fair Street, Atlanta, GA 30314, USA. ' 2008 Charlestown Drive, College Park, GA 30337, USA. ' Department of Commerce, Faculty of Management and Finance, University of Colombo, Colombo-03, Sri Lanka

Abstract: This paper reports on an intensive case study of an important aspect of family firms. There has been limited prior research on corporate culture, an important component of management control in family firms in developing countries. The paper attempts to understand the nature and dynamics of the corporate culture of a family-controlled tea manufacturing and exporting firm in a less developed country, Sri Lanka which can either hinder or enhance a firm|s ability to respond successfully to the challenges it faces. The paper reveals the values, practices and behaviour, which created the capabilities that enabled this firm to succeed in the global market.

Keywords: family business; corporate culture; management control; less developed countries; small firms; small businesses; developing countries; tea manufacturing; tea exporting; Sri Lanka; globalisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2006.008822

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2006 Vol.3 No.3, pp.227 - 243

Published online: 27 Jan 2006 *

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