Family Businesses in the Corporate Governance of MNCs

Abstract

The issue of family businesses is currently a very topical theme in the academic world. The importance of family businesses increases with internationalization and is associated with business success in global market conditions. A fundamental part of business activities abroad is the correct application of the corporate governance of subsidiaries of multinational family businesses. The available fi ndings do not cover this area suffi ciently, especially in the context of transformed economies in CEE. In view of the nature of foreign business activities, the degree of centralization of competences transferred between subsidiaries and headquarters and the presence of expatriates from the headquarters of multinational companies represented by the family fi rm in statutory bodies can be regarded as important variables. The main aim of the present paper is, based on research carried out, to describe and analyze the degree of centralization and presence of expatriates in the corporate governance of subsidiaries of multinational family businesses operating in the Czech Republic. The paper presents the results of an empirical investigation with a description of the presence of expatriates in the statutory bodies of subsidiaries of multinational companies in the Czech Republic. The results obtained present the number of subsidiaries corresponding to the defi nition of a family business with an emphasis on SMEs of up to 250 employees and the degree of centralization and presence of expatriates in administrative or executive authority, or in other positions. The sample which was used to research the family business comprised 214 subsidiaries of multinational companies from the most important sectors of the Czech economy.