Women Successors in Family-Owned Businesses in Poland

Abstract

Theoretical background: The family enterprises are regarded as the backbone of every economy. In Poland, it is estimated that more than 60% of small and medium-sized enterprises are family businesses. Taking into account the particularities of the Polish economy in connection with the period of political transformation after 1989, the majority of family firms are in the hands of the founding families respectively the first generation. The question of the succession process is of great importance for all family companies, but especially for Polish family businesses, since in the former communist system no private property could be passed on to future generations. The Polish entrepreneurial families therefore do not have enough practical succession experience. Moreover, the Polish society is still characterized by a conservative world view or female view, which means that the majority of entrepreneurs choose the eldest son as their potential successor. Purpose of the article: The aim of the study is to present the history of daughters successors in Polish family businesses in institutional context of transforming economy. The research follows the qualitative paradigm to find context sensitive data on female successors in family businesses in Poland. Research methods: The research was designed and conducted according to the qualitative paradigm as this is the best way to understand the social realities of the actors involved. The research material was collected through semi-structured interviews with three daughters-successors in Polish family firms. The authors conducted with each female successor two interviews – a total of six interviews. The interviews last on average 1.5 hours. The longest last 2.5 hours. The interviews took place at the companies’ headquarters. The interviewed persons were women from family-owned businesses. Main findings: Taking into account the data collected, it can be assumed that the education of the next generation in the entrepreneurial families has a direct influence on the probability of a takeover. The study indirectly showed that society’s attitude towards working women in Poland has changed. This survey can make an important contribution to the understanding of the dynamics that prevail in Polish family-run companies. These findings can in turn help to develop recommendations or guidelines for those business in the succession process.

Keywords

• family businesses
• succession
• women in family businesses
• gender
• poland