A systemic method for understanding a family business: an exploratory study

Abstract

Research on understanding the dynamics of family businesses can contribute to overcoming critical steps in the different stages of development of these companies that, in general, are small/medium size. To achieve this goal, we choose the systemic approach due to the larger applicability of this theory in studies of families and systems, such as the family business. Thus, we will use the case study method with a qualitative and systemic design in order to understand a family business located in the state of São Paulo. Instruments that were developed in this approach will be used here. They are: the Structured Organizational Interview (SOI) and the Organizational Group Scale (OGE), and yet a research´s daily journal. The results will be examined in a qualitative way through the analysis of the answers of the participants, following the systemic perspective. It is hoped that the findings will contribute to the management of this firm and the validity of the systemic method for family business. In addition to the specific contribution on technologies for organizational management of family businesses, it is expected that the results of this project will contribute to the larger research (FAPESP support) which it belongs.