Title: Family and cultural factors impacting entrepreneurship in war time Lebanon

Authors: Josiane Fahed-Sreih, David Pistrui, Wilfred V. Huang, Harold P. Welsch

Addresses: Department of Economics and Management, School of Business, Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 36, Byblos, Lebanon. ' Illinois Institute of Technology, Stuart School of Business 3424 South State Street, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60616, USA. ' College of Business, Alfred University, Alfred, NY 14802, USA. ' Department of Management, DePaul University, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 7000, Chicago, IL 60604, USA

Abstract: This study profiles the characteristics, attributes and growth orientations of Lebanese entrepreneurs including the relationships, roles and contributions that family and culture play in the development of private SMEs. Drawing on a sample of 112 entrepreneurs| psychographic motives, demographic attributes and business activities are revealed. Family and enterprise relationships related to employment, investment and active family participation and growth orientations are empirically tested. The findings suggest that entrepreneurs are motivated by the need for independence and flexibility. Entrepreneurs were found to rely heavily on family member participation to establish, develop and grow their enterprises.

Keywords: Lebanon; entrepreneurship; growth; culture; family business; private SMEs; family participation; family employment; innovation management; small and medium-sized enterprises.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2010.033166

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2010 Vol.12 No.1, pp.35 - 51

Published online: 10 May 2010 *

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