Title: Goals and characteristics of family-owned small businesses: an international replication and comparison between Middle America and Western Australia hospitality providers

Authors: William L. Smith

Addresses: School of Business, Emporia State University, 1200 Commercial, Campus Box 4058, Emporia, KS 66801, USA

Abstract: This paper reports the results of an exploratory survey of family-owned small business operations in four Middle America states: Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. The survey is partially based on an earlier exploratory study done in rural Western Australia by Getz and Carlsen (2000). The results of the two sets of responses from the two regions of the world are compared and discussed, including the impact of the Hofstede cultural dimensions. The survey incorporates a series of questions related to starting the business, operational goals, succession goals, the nature of the business and family-related issues and goals. The implications for future research and for practitioners are discussed.

Keywords: family business; exploratory study; Australia; USA; United States; Hofstede; cultural dimensions; goals; characteristics; small firms; small businesses.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2006.008821

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2006 Vol.3 No.3, pp.212 - 226

Published online: 27 Jan 2006 *

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