Problem: Family firms often comprise of a complex web of relationships between family and non-family managers that are active within the business. Family enterprises are also known for their closed communication and decision-making practices. It often occurs that families do not include non-family managers into important business-related discussions and do not consult their decisions with managers from outside of the family. At the same time, research in the area of family business defines that the relationships between family and non-family managers are highly linked to the success of a business. With these considerations in mind, this study investigates how family and non-family managers communicate in family businesses. Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to create an understanding of the phenomenon of communication and information-sharing between family and non-family managers in small and medium-sized family firms in Sweden. In particular, we are investigating the distinctive characteristics of communication, the barriers to effective communication, and what business-related information that is not shared between family and non-family managers. Method: This study is conducted qualitatively, utilising multiple case studies. For the collection of empirical data, we conducted twelve semi-structured interviews with both family and non-family managers in three small and medium-sized family companies located in Sweden. Findings: Our findings show that there are multiple distinctive characteristics of communication in family firms. Additionally, we uncovered several groups of barriers that hinder effective communication between family and non-family managers in family companies. Additionally, we found out that there is numerous business-related information that is not shared between family and non-family managers. Contributions: Our findings contribute to the managerial and theoretical understanding of communication and information-sharing between family and non-family managers in family businesses. This thesis is of interest to any individual working in or with family companies, as well as, academics, who investigate the field of family business.

M.A. / The purpose of this dissertation was to gain an in depth understanding of the impact on family functioning post the act of rape upon one of its members. Family members of rape victims either completed a questionnaire or they were interviewed by the researcher. This was solely at their discretion. Their perceptions and experiences were recorded and analysed. Rape and sexual assault has a definite effect on the social functioning of family members. All of the respondents felt that the rape had affected them deeply and most of the participants believed that the incident had a devastating effect initially. The majority of the respondents sought help from an external source because they felt that they were in need of support. Their family unit was threatened and to regain control of it, counselling was sought. This counselling was mainly individual in nature but there were certain instances where couples therapy played a role. Not one of the respondents ever attended a group or a family session. This was because there was no support group in place to fulfill this need. All the participants believed that support groups for family members of rape victims was both vital and necessary. If given the chance, all of them would have attended a support group session. On the whole, literature verifies the results found in this study. Most literature agrees that rape has a serious impact on family functioning post the act of rape upon one of its members. Some families may only have had bad memories but continued to function completely normally whilst others virtually stopped functioning at all and the resultant family unit was forever broken. Whether the family continues to function normally or that they are unable to cope at all, the fact still remains that the effect of rape on the social functioning of the family is felt to a greater or lesser degree. In most instances, the impact of rape has very traumatic repercussions that should lead to social work intervention. / Dr. E. Oliphant

The concurrent criterion-related validity of the Family Profile (FAMPRO) was investigated using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales II (FACES II), the Self-Report Family Inventory (SFI), and the Family Assessment Device (FAD) as criterion measures . Further analysis was conducted through a principal component factor analysis with a varimax rotation and correlations with a Family Satisfaction Scale. The Family Profile is an easy-to-administer, -score, and -interpret instrument designed for use in family life education. It is a 35-item instrument that measures seven areas of family functioning: Family Fun, Family Decisions, Family Pride, Family Values, Family Caring, Family Communication, and Family Confidence. The total scores of the Family Profile had strong correlations with the total scores of the three criterion instruments. Additionally, the individual constructs of the Family Profile showed moderate to strong relationships with the corresponding subscales found in the criterion instruments. Factor analysis of the FAMPRO with this sample indicated that the most important factor explaining the largest portion of the variance is the ability of family members to display positive regard to one another in an open and warm manner. The Family Satisfaction Scale created for this project was moderately to strongly correlated with all of the Family Profile's Subscales. The sample used for this study was taken from undergraduate Family and Human Development classes at Utah State University and had a total N of 194. This nonrandom sample was mostly young, single, and female. The religious preference for 80% of the sample was Mormon (LDS). While the sample limits generalization of the results, these preliminary results provide sufficient evidence to warrant further research using the Family Profile. Because the FAMPRO is easy to use and interpret, it holds promise as an effective tool for family life educators and clinicians alike.

This longitudinal study examines whether family processes (family cohesion and family conflict) mediate the relationship between family separation experiences and the development of peer relationships (quality and conflict). The study includes a sample of 199 early adolescent Latinos from immigrant families. Family conflict mediated the relationship between separation experiences from fathers and peer conflict at year 1 but not year 2 such that more separation from father was associated with higher family conflict and higher peer conflict at year 1. Family cohesion did not mediate associations between mother or father separation and peer relationship outcomes. Family cohesion predicted more positive peer relationship quality at year 1 and family conflict predicted more peer conflict at year 1 indicating some distinction between these characteristics of relationships for families and peers. Mother separation predicted more peer conflict at year 1. This is consistent with qualitative studies of immigration experiences and separation (e.g., Baccallo & Smokowski, 2007; Suarez-Orozco et al., 2002). This study has added empirical quantitative support to show high levels of family conflict associated with family separation. Further, this study has demonstrated that youth who experience greater separation from fathers are likely to experience higher family conflict that is associated with greater peer conflict. In contrast, mother separation has a more direct association with peer conflict. Although family separations are associated with more peer conflict, they do not appear to influence change over time in peer conflict. The different paths of influence for mother separation and father separation warrant further research to explicate the unique associations between each parent‟s separation and family dynamics.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1987.

Representing four-fifths of businesses worldwide, family businesses are a prevailing form of business organizations. Their importance has brought on several studies concerning their development and behavior. Drawing on Gersick et al’s three-dimensional developmental model, this study examines the development of a Taiwanese family firm. Gersick et al’s three-dimensional developmental model develops a typology based on the dimensions of ownership, family and business. Through one-on-one in-depth interview of a Taiwanese textile manufacturer, this study finds that the founder’s character is an important factor that triggers challenges that family firms must face. With this unique factor, it is found that the family firm has employed an informal communication mechanism through close family members acting as third party liaisons to minimize communication conflict. Furthermore, through the application of quality management certifications, the firm has formalized organizational procedures and policies. Close affiliation with government aided institutions allows the firm to offer a comprehensive training program to attract and develop new talent. All these serve as future guidelines for family firms to overcome challenges in their developmental process.

Thesis (M.Crim.Jus.)--Edith Cowan University, 2006. / Submitted to the Faculty of Business and Law. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.(Practical Theology)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-134)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 336-404).

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-95).