Entrepreneurship and family business in Spain: Analysis of its main characteristics and profile of family entrepreneurs

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18543/bee.2739
Keywords: family business, entrepreneurship, family entrepreneurship, GEM, Spain

Abstract

Family businesses play a key role in the economy, accounting for around 89% of the business fabric of our country, with a contribution to GDP of 57.1% and the creation of 67% of private employment. Entrepreneurial activity plays a crucial role after the COVID-19 pandemic as it is one of the main indicators of economic recovery in periods of recession. With data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) for 2021, the main socio-demographic characteristics of family business entrepreneurs have been analyzed, considering their main differences with respect to the rest of businesses that do not have this nature. The results show that 86.37% of those surveyed stated that their family had participated in the start-up of the business under the figure of co-owner and/or co-administrator, the most common form of participation being that of co-management and family co-ownership. The predominant form was self-employment and the gender with the highest levels of family entrepreneurship was female. These results are particularly relevant, given that families play an important role in the creation of businesses and stable employment. Likewise, knowing the profile of the family entrepreneur can facilitate the design of incentives for entrepreneurship.

Received: 28 April 2023
Accepted: 23 June 2023

Author Biographies

Berta Rivera, Universidad de A Coruña

University of A Coruña, Faculty of Economics and Business, Applied Economics Department. Professor of Applied Economics and Director of the Chair of Family Business at the University of A Coruña.

Sabela Siaba Casais, Universidade da Coruña

University of A Coruña, Faculty of Economics and Business, Applied Economics Department. Assistant of Applied Economics, PhD student in the Program of Economic Analysis and Business Strategy at the University of A Coruña and research assistant in the Chair of Family Business at the University of A Coruña. 

Bruno Casal, Universidade da Coruña

University of A Coruña, Faculty of Economics and Business, Applied Economics Department. Assistant Professor and Head of Research of the Chair of Family Business at the University of A Coruña.

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Published
2024-03-22
How to Cite
Rivera, Berta, Sabela Siaba Casais, and Bruno Casal. 2024. “Entrepreneurship and Family Business in Spain: Analysis of Its Main Characteristics and Profile of Family Entrepreneurs”. Bulletin of Economic Studies 78 (234), 163-86. https://doi.org/10.18543/bee.2739.
Issue
Vol. 78 No. 234 (2023): Entrepreneurship and Family Business: A natural symbiosis
Section
Articles

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