Study of factors determining the formation of the family social capital in family enterprises in the southern region of Minas Gerais

Abstract

The study identifies the factors that lead to the formation of family social capital in family businesses. To achieve this purpose the theory of social capital and family social capital was used as a theoretical basis. To this end, we conducted an exploratory survey of 120 family enterprises. A questionnaire was used to interview all entrepreneurs, and data were analyzed by factor analysis. The results are presented in two parts: first, to characterize the sample in relation to the profile of the respondent and the profile of the enterprise; and second, the presentation of the frequency of each of the assertions in the second part was made according to the factor analysis. Seven factors were found to be associ­ated with family social capital: collaborative dialogue, family network, infrastructure morale, trust, ethical standards, own ideas, and external information channels. Family social capital is solidified by means of collaborative dialogue, which take root in the family and company ethical standards, resulting in what is called moral infrastructure - when the family and the company are aligned internally and externally. Conversely, the absence of collaborative dialogue generates authoritarianism on the part of the leaders and family members, privileging their own ideas, which was identified as contradictory to the development of family social capital.