Study title

The survey charted small and medium-sized Finnish enterprises in 2002. The aim was to examine the significance, challenges and problems of family businesses in Finland as well as to produce concrete and current information on the development needs of family businesses. First, general information was obtained on the company. Questions charted the year of foundation, number of employees, net sales and share of export, and whether the company operated in the local, regional, or international market. The respondents indicated the primary customer group of the enterprise and its share in the net sales. They also estimated the financial situation of the firm. The role of family in the enterprise was examined by asking the respondents whether their close relatives had a share of ownership in the company, whether any close relatives worked as salaried employees or assistants in the company, and how much the company's business was discussed in the family. The respondents also indicated the number of generations who had run the family business, how large a share of the firm was owned by close relatives, and whether the family owned other companies. The objectives of the business were queried by canvassing the importance of increasing net sales, securing jobs, or providing opportunities for personal development. In addition, the respondents told whether the net sales of the company were increasing, and how the company pursued to increase them. Various questions also charted the values and practices of business activities. Next, the respondents were asked to evaluate the strengths of family entrepreneurship, such as the members' commitment, common views on objectives, and swiftness in decision-making. Interplay and conflicts between family life and business activities were canvassed with the help of questions on conflicts between work and family, distribution of work, developing the enterprise, flow of information, rewarding, commitment, and ownership. The role of other...