Profiling family firms in the autonomous region of the Azores

EnglishThis study aims to profile family firms located in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Using a sample of 82 family-controlled firms, we were able to create the profile of these firms, by looking at several important profiling aspects such as ownership and governance, experience and management, and corporate culture. While other indicators are also taken into account: sector of activity, years in business, number of employees, and last year’s turnover. Results show that these firms are owned and controlled exclusively by the family, and its owners and managers are the founding generation. They operate in the retail sector, have less than 10 employees, have been in business for over 30 years, and have a turnover of less than €500,000 per year. The family members show a strong sense of pride, belief and identity towards the firm and consider that the family has an important influence in the business. portuguesEste estudo tem como objetivo tracar o perfil das empresas familiares localizadas na Regiao Autonoma dos Acores. Recorrendo a uma amostra de 82 empresas familiares, sao analisados varios aspetos importantes na caracterizacao de empresas familiares, como a propriedade e administracao, a gestao e experiencia e a cultura organizacional. Outros indicadores sao, igualmente, tidos em conta: setor de atividade, anos em operacao, numero de colaboradores e volume de negocios do ultimo ano. Os resultados obtidos revelam que estas empresas sao detidas e controladas exclusivamente pela familia e os proprietarios e gerentes sao a geracao fundadora. Atuam no setor do retalho, contam com menos de 10 colaboradores, encontram- se em atividade ha mais de 30 anos e tem um volume de negocios inferior a €500.000 por ano. Os membros da familia mostram ter orgulho, empenho e identificam-se com as empresas, considerando, ainda, que a familia tem uma importante influencia no negocio.