Perspectives on Family Businesses in New Zealand and Australia

Abstract

This paper provides a New Zealand and Australian replication and extension of Birley et al. (1999) and Birley (2001) which examined the nature and concerns offamily businesses. The initial studies found three clusters of attitudes to family businesses, namely Family Out, Family In, and Family-Business Jugglers. The consistency of cluster analysis in the Birley studies was absent in the New Zealand and Australian results. However, many concerns identified in the Birley studies are also found in New Zealand and Australia. Additionally, this study identifies concerns of family businesses not previously reported by Birley. The major issues relate to succession, both entry and retirement, and how family members are treated, in terms of share ownership and differential pay. Frequently respondents identified the need for independent business advice, indicating opportunities for business advisors to develop and provide more services tofamily businesses.