ABSTRACT
The structure of family businesses in Poland is similar to that of all enterprises. The vast majority are microenterprises (approx. 80%), small enterprises (approx. 10%), medium-sized enterprises (approx. 8%) and large enterprises. Family businesses were also the backbone of entrepreneurship and Chinese capitalism, which has transformed many Southeast and Eastern Asian economies over the past three decades. One of the consequences of such diversity is definition-related problems – in research into family businesses there is no single universal definition. The most important criteria for recognizing an economic entity as a family business include ownership, management, family involvement in business and family succession. The paradox of family businesses is that their features at different stages of development are the strength and source of their success or weakness and failure. In times of uncertainty, core (basic) family values can ensure the continuity of decision-making.
