Strategic Management in Family Businesses

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My thanks go out to all who have helped me complete this study and with whom this project may have not been possible. In particular, my gratitude goes out to friends, facilitator and family for extensive and helpful comments on early drafts. I am also deeply indebted to the authors who have shared my interest and preceded me. Their works provided me with a host of information to learn from and build upon, also served as examples to emulate.

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DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this thesis/dissertation stand for my individual work without any aid, & this thesis/dissertation has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level previously. It is also representing my very own views & not essentially which are associated with university.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSII

DECLARATIONIII

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY1

Introduction1

Research Design1

Research Philosophy2

Research Process3

Instrument3

Data Collection Method3

Sampling4

Survey questions4

Hypothesis4

Likert Scale5

Confidentiality5

Reliability5

Validity6

Significance6

Ethical concern7

Research Limitations7

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS9

Statistical findings9

Final words from statistics findings13

Descriptive Statistics13

Cross tab14

Hypothesis (Annova)21

Answers to research questions21

Networking25

Relationships26

Customers26

Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage28

Resource Disadvantage30

Competition and Cooperation31

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION32

Challenge and Response34

Profitable and Unprofitable Strategies35

Survival Chances35

Organizational Competence36

Know/edge Resources37

Summary of the Major Findings40

Research Implications and Future Directions43

REFERENCES53

APPENDICES59

Questionnaire59

Ethics Approval Form - Students60

Changes to ethics permission65

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

Introduction

This chapter will provide an overview of the methodology by which the data is collected. As with any new, evolving field, additional understanding requires much work on the field's conceptual base and empirical testing of the field's concepts. According to Wortman (1994), the field lacks a comprehensive framework and lacks comprehensive models. Progress in these areas has been hampered because of unclear boundaries and a myriad of competing definitions.

Handler (1989) contends that the number one methodological issue in family business research is the lack of consensus on a definition of what constitutes a family business and the need for clear criteria for distinguishing family businesses from other types of businesses. Researchers have attempted to establish distinct classifications between family businesses, entrepreneurships, owner-managed businesses, and professionally managed businesses.

Research Design

This research was established and carried out by using a quantitative research method. Questionnaires were designed to find out the level of customer perception regarding the local stores and supermarkets. Data collection was carried from different firms. The collected primary data was summarized in MS Excel and analysed quantitatively using the statistical software package SPSS 15.

The development of a reliable and valid survey instrument was critical for this study. The character of this type of study is exploratory and close ended and was incorporated survey questionnaires. This type of study is often costly than qualitative studies and is exceedingly effectual in acquiring information. It is frequently the method in instances where valued measurement is commanded.

Research Philosophy

The beliefs of study are divided into three classes that are positivism, realism and interpretive have distinct and largely based on the structure and development of information and method. Beliefs research is an important part in the perception of the world.

Positivism is the methodology that sees the propositions of existing ideas with appropriate data and ...