Family Businesses and Its Impact on the Economy

The family business is the most frequently encountered ownership business model in the world and their impact on the global economy is considered significant. It is estimated that the total economic impact of family businesses to global GDP is over 70%. Family businesses are recognized as one of the engines of the post-industrial growth process since they are given credit for developing across generations' entrepreneurial talent, a sense of loyalty to business success, long-term strategic commitment, and corporate independence. This transformation can be achieved if the micro, small and medium scale enterprises (family owned businesses included) are encouraged to grow through the provision of finance and human capital. The key result of this study shows that Family firms are an integral part of Nigeria’s economy and have contributed significantly to GDP of the country which sustains economic growth. Journal of Business & Financial Affairs J o u r n a l o f B usi ness & Finncial Af f a i r s ISSN: 2167-0234 Citation: Osunde C (2017) Family Businesses and Its Impact on the Economy. J Bus Fin Aff 6: 251. doi: 10.4172/2167-0234.1000251


Introduction
Family business is defined as a business in which two or more members of a family are involved and the majority of ownership and control lies within the family. Family business is one of the oldest forms of business organization [1].
Family business are within the category of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) globally whether in USA, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. However, some family businesses are large multinational corporations that operate in many countries such as Ford Motors and McDonalds which originates from USA.
According to the Institute of Family Business, in 2011, there were just under 3 million family businesses operating in the UK, representing 66% of the private sector total [2]. In terms of distribution by size 75% (2.2 million) of these firms were micro businesses with no employees, with a further 639,000 (or 22%) family businesses employing between one and nine employees. Using the British SME size definitions of small, medium and large, family businesses made up the balance of the sector with 3.1%, 0.5% and 0.3% respectively.
In India, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in 2011 reports that the gross output of these family run businesses accounts for 90% of India's industrial output, 79% of organised private sector employment, and 27% of overall employment superseded only by the government and public sector undertakings, companies in which the government own the majority of shares [3].
Family ownership is often associated with a double role for the family as that of owners and managers of the firm. In economic terms, families make firm-specific investments in human capital, which makes them reluctant to give up control. This, and the fact that typically a higher share of owner's wealth is invested in the firm, creates a long-term commitment to the survival of the company and results in family firms being more risk-averse than other firms. Hence, their behaviour may be affected by a high sensitivity to uncertainty and by a risk attitude which induces them to avoid decisions affecting the firm's survival or the stability of control [4][5][6].
Family businesses have a very low survival rate, 30% of family firms make it to the 2 nd generation and only a third survives to the third generation.
Family businesses that refused to engage professionals in their businesses tend to be (i) smaller in size and market value (ii) more risk averse (iii) less innovative (iv) less productive (v) less international (vi) less inclined to do Corporate Social Responsibility; they are also more characterized by poor management practices [12].

Empirical Analysis: Economic Impact of Family Business
This study uses primary and secondary data to analyse the economic impact of family business to the economic, specifically the Nigerian economic and its contribution to GDP. The research uses convenient sampling to collect data from 50 family businesses in Anambra State, Nigeria (Table 1).
To place these figures in context from table 1, in 2015, the family business sector, the manufacturing sector had the highest turnover, while wholesale retail trade and repairs had the second largest turnover with a significant percentage of the family business sector which amounted to 45.5% given that in Anambra State, majority of the family businesses are micro, small and medium emterprises. The family business generated over twice as much as turnover in other Nigerian sectors and employed almost twice as many Nigerian workers as the entire public sector.
From Table 2, micro, small and medium enterprises paid the most significant (highest) amount of taxes compared to other types of firms in the family business sector. Micro, small and medium enterprises drives economies and employed skilled workers more than other types of firms, thus contributing the largest amount of employees' taxes to the government.

Family business: economic implications
The result of this study gives rise to the following positive implications of family business to the economy: 1. Family businesses show higher profitability and generated significant revenue for the government in terms of corporate and employees' taxes.
2. Family businesses retain and hire employees even in times of economic recession.
3. Family businesses engage in corporate social responsibility activities.
4. Family businesses are innovative and employ strategy as a means of sustaining their businesses from generation to generation.

5.
Family businesses are less likely to raise debts and are widely deemed financially prudent when professionalism is employed in the business.

Conclusion
Family businesses are associated with dual roles where family members serve as owners and managers of the firm. Family businesses are impacted by a high sensitivity to uncertainty and risk attitudes which induce the owners to avoid decisions affecting the firm's survival  and control of the business. Family businesses at the initial stages are often characterized by informal organizational structures, ownermanager with or without employees. The results of this study shows the impact of family businesses to the economy such as family businesses show higher profitability in the long run, pay a significant amount of taxes and family businesses have a more focussed strategy.